By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A NOBLE Park ice-addict is facing extended jail time after pleading guilty to a month’s binging in burglaries in Melbourne’s south-east, including an aggravated burglary in which he struck an elderly resident in their bedroom.
Andrew Roccadavis, 24, who was using up to 3.5 grams of ice a day, had been seeking immediate release from 203 days in remand and a community-corrections order sentence at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
The court heard that Roccadavis committed thefts and several burglaries, netting a laptop, hard-driver, Bluetooth stereo, handbag, jewellery and an electronic tablet in Glen Waverley on 22 October about 5.30pm.
During one of the break-ins, an owner in his sixties discovered Roccadavis hiding in a walk-in wardrobe.
Before fleeing, the accused dropped a pillow-case of items, and elbowed the man in the left eye causing swelling and bruising.
Roccadavis left outside the home a red bag containing 15 sets of house and car keys, a garage remote, house-breaking equipment and a full bottle of vodka.
In a police interview that night, he said he “blacked out” and couldn’t say where he had been prior to his arrest.
He later told police his memory was “hazy at best” due to regular GHB and ice use.
During a Cranbourne West home burglary in October, a 20-year-old female awoke to find Roccadavis in her bedroom.
He fled, leaving behind a doona loaded with jewellery and personal belongings in the hallway.
On 26 September, Roccadavis broke in and stole a tablet, laptop, mobile phone, camera, jewellery and cards including a Crown Casino membership card from an apartment in Close Avenue, Dandenong.
He then gained access to the building’s security car park on several occasions in the next three weeks.
On one occasion, he broke into a storage unit and stole several items, as well as smashing his way into a vehicle using a milk crate.
In October, Roccadavis – a disqualified driver at the time – drove a stolen vehicle during a petrol drive-off at Noble Park, broke into and stole hard hats and high vis vests from a Springvale construction site, and stole tool kits from a Dandenong home garage.
On 15 October, he told a Dandenong servo attendant he forgot his wallet and gave a false name, address and phone number after filling a stolen car with petrol.
The “extremely remorseful” accused stole to fund his ice habit, which started when he was 15 and had already affected his memory, the lawyer said.
“His former partner has had their child … in February this year, so he’s extremely keen to get his life on track,” his lawyer told the court.
“I’m told he hasn’t consumed drugs for seven months since he was incarcerated. That’s a window for … rehabilitation.”
Magistrate Jack Vandersteen told the lawyer “he wasn’t even close” to being released; the accused had previously breached two community corrections orders.
“At the last CCO (in September), I was told the same thing that he was drug-free and ready-to-go,” he said.
“A clear line in the sand has been drawn for you.
“When you break into so many people’s homes and steal so much property, you have a huge impact.
“You’ve assaulted people in their own home, stealing from them and were on a (CCO) anyway.”
Roccadavis was remanded for sentencing at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 25 June.
“He’s going to do more time, maybe 12 months more time,” Mr Vandersteen said.
As Roccadavis was led into the cells, a supporter said: “F … ing terrorists get less time.”
