Former Echuca man Kurtis Michael Anderson and Rushworth's Joshua Aaron Colliver were sentenced in Melbourne County Court on March 16.
Anderson, 23, was convicted and sentenced to two years and two months prison with a non-parole period of 18 months, with 242 days already served, after pleading guilty to two charges of theft and single counts of theft of firearm, obtain financial advantage by deception, handling stolen goods, prohibited person in charge of a firearm, possession of cannabis, unlicensed and careless driving and bail offences.
Colliver, 30, was convicted and sentenced to two years, with a minimum of 15 months, and 179 already served, after pleading guilty to three charges of theft and single counts of theft of a firearm, burglary, arson, obtain financial advantage by deception, possession of methamphetamine and failing to answer bail.
Judge Irene Lawson told the court the pair’s two-week crime spree started on June 28, 2020, where they committed 19 driving and property related offences around the Echuca and Rochester areas.
About 4.30am on July 4, 2020, the men went to a mixed farm property on Bonn Rd, Rochester while the owner was asleep inside and stole his $30,000 2015 Toyota Hilux dual cab ute, which had a butcher’s knife, air compressor and chainsaw in the tray, as well as a wallet containing $700 and bank cards.
They also broke into a gun safe and stole a shotgun and two rifles, ammunition, and firearms parts.
That night, Colliver broke into a machinery shed in Nanneella and stole a custom-made trailer and diesel tank, which Anderson then sold for $600.
Three days later, Anderson was driving the stolen ute along Lowe Rd when he lost control and crashed into a tree.
He then called Colliver, who attended and set the car alight before taking off with Anderson.
Anderson later used the farmer’s bank cards to buy $593 worth of goods, including tobacco, phone credit, petrol and food and drinks, and withdraw $950 from an ATM in Rushworth, while Colliver spent $55.65 on food and drinks.
At the time of the offences, Anderson was on bail for burglary, theft, driving and family violence offences.
The men were arrested on July 17, 2020, when police raided their Rushworth property in Pyle Rd and found stolen property, including firearms, and a small amount of cannabis and methamphetamine.
Judge Lawson said a victim impact statement from the Bonn Rd farmer revealed he had been “deeply shaken and had many sleepless nights” after the burglary, and the destruction of his vehicle and tools had been "very disruptive".
“He has been trying to recoup his losses through insurance but there have been uncovered losses and increases to his insurance premiums,” she said.
“He has also had to increased security on his property because of the offending, which has cost him another $10,000.”
Judge Lawson said given Colliver had been raised in the rural setting of Deniliquin, he “ought to have been aware of the severe disruption and inconvenience such acts would cause”.
She said Anderson had an extensive criminal history and convictions, including jail time, as well as complex trauma and drug issues that stemmed from the death of his father in 2018.
“Your dependence on drugs has blighted your teen years and early adulthood,” she said.
“Your prospects for rehabilitation are guarded as you have not demonstrated an ability to cope with your underlying mental health and drug conditions.”
The court heard Colliver had a criminal history of driving and deception offences spanning from June 2010.
Judge Lawson said the father-of-two also had a long history of heavy drug use, which was a motive for the burglaries.
“You said you were using heavily and needed money for drugs,” she said.
“You said setting the ute alight was idiotic and you were deeply remorseful.”
Judge Lawson said if the men had not pleaded guilty, she would have jailed them for four years, to serve a minimum of three.
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