A MAN has been jailed for a “safe-break" nine years on from the offence, despite having “no memory” of the break-in whatsoever.
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Adrian Charles Marchant was led from Walcha Local Court in handcuffs by police this week after pleading guilty to the break-and-enter at the Mountain Motors NRMA Depot on Derby St between 3.40am and 8.30am on July 7, 2007.
The now 28-year-old stole a radiator worth almost $800 but left a trail of destruction across the office.
It was a DNA hit that provided the breakthrough in the case in 2010 – after Marchant’s profile was matched to a sample he gave Queensland police.
But Marchant wasn’t charged by Walcha police until January, this year, when he was found in the town by officers.
According to court documents, Marchant forced the front door and cut a padlock with bolt cutters.
"He has then got the oxy-acetylene set from the workshop and used it to open the safe. The accused has made a number of attempts to cut the safe open,” court documents stated.
The facts said the owner of the shop discovered the mess including fire extinguisher powder all of the office after the offender “used the extinguisher to put out a fire created by their actions”.
"As a result of the break-and-enter and the attempts to open the safe, the accused has cut himself, leaving blood on a cloth near the safe, on a hammer, stationary and the safe itself located in the office area,” facts stated.
Solicitor Peter Schmidt said at the time his client, who is a qualified diesel mechanic, was watching a family member pass away from cancer.
“He left here to go to Queensland, and didn't know the offences existed until he came back,” he said.
“He's entered a plea to an historical offence, admittedly there is DNA that ties him to it.
“There was $21,000 damage done, my client can make restitution.
“He was totally intoxicated at the time, the place was trashed."
Magistrate Michael Holmes said Marchant had a “significant record”.
"This is an attempted safe cracking,” he said.
There was $21,000 damage done, my client can make restitution ... he was totally intoxicated at the time, the place was trashed.
- Solicitor Peter Schmidt
“Considerable damage done attempting to open a safe … and also the use of oxy-acetylene.”
He jailed Marchant for 18 months with a minimum of nine months behind bars and ordered him to pay $21,498.13 in compensation.