Fine for ‘raid on butcher’

ERIN PEARSON
A Newcomb butcher retrieved meat from the boot of a car as thieves tried to get away with over $400 worth of his products, Geelong Magistrates Court heard this week.
Jessica Harrison, 21, was fined for her role in the heist but avoided jail after pleading guilty to theft and failure to pay a $300 fine for prior convictions.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Kerrie Moroney told the court Harrison attended Newcomb’s Tasman Meats with three friends on March 29 last year.
Snr Const Moroney said one of the accused distracted a sales assistant with “questions about meat” while Harrison and the two others stuffed $475.47 worth of products into baskets and bags.
One of the co-accused attempted to walk out of the store three times through one-way electric doors before holding them open for Harrison who carried out an ALDI bag full of meat.
Snr Const Moroney said a staff member saw Harrison and the co-accused “exit without paying” and alerted the manager who chased them to their car.
The manager retrieved “what he thought was all the meat” from the boot before Harrison and the co-accused drove away.
“She (Harrison) made a no-comment interview,” Sen Const Moroney said.
Police seized and destroyed $116 worth of meat from the car, the court heard.
The manager retrieved more than $300 worth of meat from the boot.
Harrison’s lawyer described his client as “an independent young lady” with “motivation to stay on the straight and narrow”.
He said Harrison had suffered a heroin addiction, mental health issues and depression.
“She was involved with the theft to get some money. (She) had a particularly tough childhood…she self-medicated with heroin.
“There has been a turn around in her life…I ask the court to take into account she is a youthful offender.”
Magistrate Ron Saines convicted and fined Harrison $400 for the theft and $500 for failing to pay the prior fines for driving offences.
“It seems to me you entered these premises with the intent to do what you did,” Mr Saines said.
“It’s fortunate you weren’t charged with burglary as well as theft.
“I accept there has been some progress you have made.”