Justin Andrew Leary changes pleas to guilty in aggravated burglary, assault and stealing case

A southern Tasmanian man with a list of prior convictions that runs 32 pages long will be sentenced for his latest assault and burglary charges on Monday.

Tasmania’s Justice Robert Pearce of the Supreme Court. Picture: SUPPLIED

UPDATED: A southern Tasmanian man with a list of prior convictions that runs 32 pages long will be sentenced for his latest assault and burglary charges on Monday.

Justin Andrew Leary, 39, was charged with one count each of aggravated burglary, assault and stealing.

The jury was empanelled on Tuesday and the trial proper was due to begin on Wednesday before Justice Robert Pearce.

Leary then changed his plea to guilty to all three charges.

Crown prosecutor Jane Ansell said Leary’s crimes arose out of a series of events that occurred in North Hobart on October 3, 2017.

Leary entered a unit in the Condell Place public housing complex about 2.15pm where the complainant, Kondok Mario-Ring, was asleep.

The court heard Mr Mario-Ring heard a loud banging, like someone trying to break down a door. When he opened the front door Leary, who was living in the complex in his mother’s neighbouring unit, forced his way in, punching and kicking Mr Mario-Ring saying “where’s the tablet? Where’s the tablet?”

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He then made his way upstairs and took a bottle of valium tablets before running out the door. Mr Mario-Ring was left bleeding from the head and hands, Ms Ansell said.

Ms Ansell said Leary’s list of prior convictions was 32 pages long and he had failed to appear in court when required on numerous occasions.

Defence lawyer Todd Kovacic said his client had had serious drug and alcohol issues for the past 20 years, including the use of ice, speed and opiates.

The court heard Leary’s drug dependency led to the crimes against Mr Mario-Ring and impacted his ability to appear in court, including in December when an ambulance was called to the Supreme Court because he was lying on one of the couches in the foyer unable to communicate.

Mr Kovacic said Leary’s time spent in custody on this matter already had been good for him.

Mr Kovacic said Mr Mario-Ring had been supplying Leary with valium and he went to collect what he had paid for.

Justice Pearce adjourned the case for sentencing on Monday.

Leary was remanded in custody.

EARLIER: A SOUTHERN Tasmanian man has changed his pleas to guilty this morning — the day his Supreme Court trial was due to start.

Justin Andrew Leary, 39, was charged with one count each of aggravated burglary, assault and stealing.

The jury was empanelled yesterday and the trial proper was due to begin today before Justice Robert Pearce.

The court heard yesterday that Mr Leary’s crimes arose out of a series of events that occurred in North Hobart on October 3, 2017.

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Mr Leary entered a property in Condell Place, assaulted the occupant, Kondok Mario-Ring, and stole from him a bottle of valium tablets.

Mr Leary this morning changed his plea to guilty to all three charges.

The court will hear Crown facts and Leary’s plea in mitigation this afternoon.

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