A Macgregor man who burgled his former employer has been ordered to complete 150 hours of community service. Dillon Ogilvie, 20, had been fired from his job as an apprentice mechanic after a fight with another employee, whom he accused of stealing his tools. In June last year, he broke into the Phillip store and stole a cash register, containing about $200, and a ute.
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Ogilvie appeared for sentence in the ACT Supreme Court on Wednesday on charges of aggravated burglary, burglary, theft, car theft and driving while suspended. The court heard Ogilvie had used his knowledge of the store to hide his identity from CCTV cameras and access the keys to the ute.
A day earlier, Ogilvie and another man attempted a botched robbery at the Kaleen sports club. The pair drove a stolen van into the smoking area of the club, damaging a fence in the process. They then attempted to enter the building by breaking the glass door, but left empty handed when the holes were not big enough to get through. They then dumped the van, which suffered significant damage.
Ogilvie was arrested days later, but initially claimed he had been at home in bed at the time of both incidents. He later admitted his involvement and helped police recover the ute and cash register undamaged. His co-offender in the failed Kaleen club burglary has not been located. The court heard the offender's girlfriend used the proceeds of the Phillip heist to buy herself drugs.
Ogilvie pleaded not guilty to the offences and had been committed to stand trial on Monday. But he switched his pleas last week. The court heard the offender had been rated a low risk of reoffending. Justice Richard Refshauge accepted the offender had shown remorse for the crimes. He found a jail sentence was necessary to punish the offences, but said periodic detention would only expose Ogilvie to further negative peer associations.
Justice Refshauge sentenced the offenders to three years and five months' jail, to be fully suspended upon entering a three-year good behaviour order. He also ordered Ogilvie to repay the stolen $200, complete 150 hours of community service within two years, and suspended his licence for one month.
"He must take steps to bring his criminal conduct to an end or the consequences will be serious," Justice Refshauge said.
The judge told Ogilvie he hoped he could put the offences behind him and move forward to live a crime-free life.
