More pressure on red-zone raiders
Technology and judges are joining forces to combat burglaries in red-zone areas.
A man caught “red-handed” in a Burwood red zone home pleaded guilty and was remanded in custody for sentencing on February 25.
Judge Alistair Garland warned that it was likely that anyone else caught would get the same treatment.
Morgan Boyd McIntyre, 30, was holding a tap he had dismantled when the police arrived at the Parish Street address on January 9.
Judge Alistair Garland said there were substantial problems in red zone areas where people had been entering homes and stripping them of valuable items including hot water cylinders and plumbing equipment, and in some cases doing significant damage to properties including setting them on fire.
He said motion-sensor surveillance cameras had been set up to detect the offending, and that was how McIntyre was caught.
Courts have repeatedly warned that persons caught entering these properties and doing damage are likely to receive terms of prison, he said. It was the only way the court could attempt to deter offenders.
McIntyre was caught with an alleged associate, Jason George Leroy, 36, of Mairehau, who was given a registrar’s remand to February 7 to apply for legal aid.
McIntyre told the police that he needed money, and his defence counsel said the motive behind the offending was to get cash for drugs.
Judge Garland remanded McIntyre in custody for a pre-sentence report with a report to assess his suitability for a home detention sentence.
Category: Focus
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