A 24-year-old man has been handed a four-year prison sentence for breaking into a Northam home and properties in Bunbury.
The Bunbury Magistrates Court was told on Monday Mervyn Dwayne Kelly broke into a home in Northam on September 8, 2016.
He went through the front door, using a knife to break through the lock, and removed items including a tablet and handbag.
On January 14, 2017, Kelly forced open the bedroom window of a residence in the Bunbury suburb of Glen Iris and stole more than $12,000 worth of items, including a go-pro camera, HP laptop, dive watch and sunglasses.
Kelly struck again on January 21, 2017, entering an East Bunbury home through an unlocked window, stealing an iPad and keys to a car.
The occupants of the East Bunbury home were asleep at the time of the offence, but woke to find Kelly trying to steal their car. Kelly snapped the key in the car’s ignition before being chased from the property.
He pleaded guilty to stealing, burglary, aggravated burglary, aggravated home burglary and attempting to steal a vehicle.
Kelly’s lawyer told the court his client was diagnosed with ADHD at 12 and had a long history of cannabis and methylamphetamine use. He also had significant literacy problems.
The prosecution said the community expected to be protected from these types of offences.
In sentencing Kelly, Judge Felicity Davis listed Kelly’s prior offences including obstructing police, unlawful wounding, possessing stolen property and theft. He was made eligible for parole.
