Geelong men John Duff and Jeramie Marendaz robbed, assaulted man in own home

A Corio man was robbed and bashed as he lay on his own couch by two men who wanted revenge over a girl.

John Duff (left) and Jeramie Marendaz broke into a Corio unit where they assaulted and stole from a man. Pictures: Facebook.

TWO ice addicts who assaulted and robbed a man after breaking into a Corio unit have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms.

After learning the victim had a relationship with his ex-partner, Moolap man Jeramie Marendaz, 33, broke into the unit in the middle of the day and assaulted the man as he lay on a couch.

His co-accused, John Duff, 37, stole the man’s wallet and keys.

Both men faced the County Court of Victoria on Friday, where they entered pleas of guilty to aggravated burglary and theft charges.

Marendaz also pleaded guilty to a charge of common assault and possessing a firearm-related item as a prohibited person.

In April 2021, Marendaz entered the unit, went straight up to the victim and said to him, “you think you’re a tough guy”.

Marendaz then punched the man twice to his face and landed blows to his mouth and chin, causing bruises and cuts.

While Duff took the man’s keys and wallet, Marendaz took his phone.

In the hours after the burglary, the victim received a message from Duff telling him to hand over $250 in cash if he wanted them back.

After a search of Marendaz’s home, police found a car connected to the scene and firearm ammunition in his bedroom.

During sentencing, Judge Trevor Wraight said the court was told Marendaz’s partner was “sleeping with” the victim and learning this led to him “spiralling out of control”.

“It is evident that your intention was to punish the victim.

“(The victim) was in a vulnerable position in his own home, where he is entitled to feel safe,” Judge Wraight said.

The court heard Marendaz began using methamphetamine from his late teenage years and was consuming about a gram a day.

Duff, who has been connected to the Geelong area his entire life, turned to methamphetamine after a series of relationship breakdowns and had also been using one gram a day.

Judge Wraight said Duff turned to “stealing as a means of funding your addiction” and had been convicted on prior theft offences.

Duff was sentenced to nine months in jail and Marendaz was handed a 10-month term.

Both men will also be placed on community corrections order for two years upon their release.

Originally published as Geelong men John Duff and Jeramie Marendaz robbed, assaulted man in own home