Burglar who 'terrified' child jailed

A father-of-five who entered a Devonshire home and stole a purse was today jailed for three years.

Andre Tucker, 31 walked into the home on September 13 at 7pm, terrifying the occupant's nine-year-old daughter.

At today’s sentencing, crown counsel Garret Byrne read out a victim impact statement written by the homeowner who said the incident scared her daughter so much that she wanted to move out of the home.

“He’s changed what she feels about being safe. She’s frightened to go to sleep and she’s now in counseling to help her deal with the incident.”

She also admitted she has been affected by what happened as she no longer leaves her doors and windows open unless she is in the room.

“I don’t think he meant to scare us, but to break in when a child is there makes me angry.”

The woman's daughter also wrote a victim impact statement and said she must leave the lights on in the home when she is walking around.

“I don’t like to come home in the dark because I’m scared someone is hiding in the bushes”, she added.

At an earlier hearing, the court heard how Tucker walked into the house and the girl screamed.

When the occupant came into the living room, she saw Tucker standing there. He then grabbed her handbag and ran out.

The bag contained $1,000 in cash, a camera, wallet and various other items.

Tucker, a drug addict, was seen on a neighbour's security footage which was seized by police and assisted in identifying him.

He was arrested the next day at his Devonshire home.

In court today, Tucker asked to be sent to drug court instead of West Gate so that he would be able to get treatment for his addiction.

Tucker admitted he has been “getting high” since he was 14.

“I’m asking for a chance to get myself back together”, he added.

His girlfriend also addressed the court and said Tucker had been trying to get into a programme before this incident but a spot wasn’t available.

But Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner said Tucker had been given the opportunity to go to drug court in the past and had continued to commit offences.

While he maintained there are drug addicts who do commit crimes to fuel their habit, but said this was a matter of security.

“This is a very serious offence. One of the most insidious offences is someone entering as a trespasser  in your house and committing an offense against you.

“It violates your security, it violates your space. It’s far more insidious and long lasting than stealing $1,000.

“Look at what the mother said of what effects it has on her. Look at what the child said.”

He continued: “I say all that to say regardless of the problems he is having, at the end of the day, I must also consider the security issue and security will trump personal circumstances every time if they don’t go together.”

Mr Warner sentenced Tucker to three years plus two years probation where he will get the necessary drug and rehabilitation programmes.