By Cam Lucadou-Wells
An “easily influenced” burglar has been jailed after pleading guilty to thefts during a break-in at a Hallam motel room.
Jesse Limb, 22, and two accomplices in a black Magna had been captured on CCTV at Casey on Princes Motel about 11.30pm on 26 August.
During the burglary, Limb broke in through a room’s window. A TV, speaker and a laptop were stolen from the room.
The next day, Limb and three others in the Magna – which was without a rear number plate – were pulled over by police patrolling in Hampton Park.
Police seized an ice pipe, a stolen number plate, as well as the stolen TV, speaker and laptop.
One of the passengers had a counterfeit $100 note with Asian characters, another passenger carried a deal bag of ‘ice’ and an ice pipe, Limb carried a valium tablet while the driver’s licence had been suspended.
He was also charged over attempting to enter another owner’s vehicle at a Hallam Hotel about 3.50am on 5 September.
Limb was seen by police trying to unlock the 1998 Commodore with a key that didn’t fit the car. He claimed he was trying to move his friend’s car but had got the wrong key from his friend.
He had recently bought the car but hadn’t had it transferred to his name yet, he told police.
The accused was also found with a knife, prescription tablets as well as documents and credit cards belonging to three other people.
Limb, who had a backpack filled with break-in tools, also had a receipt for using one of the cards to buy drinks, food and cigarettes at a BP servo.
He told police he’d obtained the cards lawfully. He often carried other people’s belongings, he said.
Jesse Limb’s lawyer conceded that there was no option but jail because the accused had failed to comply with judicial plans and orders, Dandenong Magistrates’ Court heard.
“If you place him on a community corrections order, I feel we’ll be setting him up to breach that order in future,” lawyer Emma Strugnell said.
The “easily influenced” Limb had struggled with impulsivity as well as drug abuse, homelessness since he was 14, an intellectual disability and an acquired brain injury, she’d said.
He’d been recently admitted to Dandenong Hospital with suicidal ideation, but had no diagnosed mental health issue.
Limb said that he’d tried, and found various jobs to help occupy himself. When unemployed, he associated with “very bad people”.
“I lasted nine months, Miss,” he said.
“When it comes to work, I can work like a madman.”
Magistrate Pauline Spencer told Limb he was “going around in circles” and struggling to stay in trouble and away from drug users.
“I think you know what you need to do.”
Limb was jailed for four months without a corrections order.
