Foursome broke into Moonah home and traumatised young boy celebrating 12th birthday

A young boy with autism celebrating his 12th birthday has been left seriously traumatised after four armed men broke into his family’s Moonah home. Latest from court.

The family was robbed of thousands of dollars and three lizards, including two bearded dragons and a water dragon. Picture: Toby Zerna

A young boy with autism celebrating his 12th birthday has been left seriously traumatised after four men broke into his family’s home – armed variously with a gun, a knife, a pair of knuckle dusters and a taser.

The boy and his four siblings and two parents have since left Tasmania because of the family’s “continuing fears”.

“All of the children appear to have suffered psychologically, but the greatest impact was on an autistic boy whose 12th birthday was being celebrated when the intruders arrived,” Supreme Court judge Robert Pearce said while sentencing one of the intruders this week.

“He had a continuing fear that the intruders would return. It was nearly impossible for the couple to get him to go to school. He had a constant fear of being attacked or followed.”

Justice Robert Pearce. Supreme of Tasmania judges. Picture: SUPPLIED

Justice Pearce said Jaidon Glen Polden, now 19, was armed with knuckle dusters when he and three others invaded the family home on the night of June 22 last year.

He said the family’s father Daniel Dance heard a knock at the door and opened it, with the four men pushing their way into the house – and one of the foursome swinging a knife at Mr Dance and cutting his arm.

Mr Dance was robbed of $3425 in cash, three lizards – two bearded dragons and one water dragon, a CCTV recorder, a pouch of tobacco and a bong.

Supreme Court of Tasmania, Salamanca Place, Hobart, Tasmania. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Richard Jupe

Polden was arrested at a Moonah youth shelter in Moonah about half an hour later, later making admissions about the robbery.

Justice Pearce said six nights later, Polden committed another armed robbery – breaching his bail conditions to be home after 5pm by robbing a food van chef at knifepoint about 11.35pm while wearing a balaclava.

Mr Dance said his partner and their five children had all suffered serious psychological symptoms since the home invasion, with Mr Dance himself suffering nightmares and flashbacks and a long scar on his left arm.

“In the end, Mr Dance left his job and the family left Tasmania because of the continuing fears of various family members,” Justice Pearce said.

Polden, who pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, two charges of aggravated armed robbery, and armed robbery, was sentenced to three years and eight months’ imprisonment.

He will not be eligible for parole until he has served one year and 10 months.

Follow @ambervwilson