A MOUNT Gambier man has been placed back behind bars after a failed attempt to break into a local motel just a week after he was released from custody.
Monty Ray Aranui, 23, appeared in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court to be sentenced for serious criminal trespass and theft.
The prosecution said the incident occurred at around 2am on November 29 at a local motel.
Aranui attempted to break-in to the reception area by smashing the glass door and trying to open it from the inside.
Managers of the motel heard the defendant attempting to break-in and then observed the security cameras to watch his movements.
Aranui grabbed a wrench to help him to make a bigger hole in the glass to open the door.
Police were called and later attended to find the defendant in the driveway of the premises.
He was arrested and a search found him in possession of the wrench.
He declined to answer police questions.
The defendant’s lawyer said Aranui was released from prison on November 22 and had been living with his sister in Millicent.
He said his client felt guilty because he had no money to provide his sister.
Defence counsel said Aranui was under the influence of opiods when he attempted to break-in to try and locate money, so he could avoid feeling like he’d let his sister down.
“My client has now realised she was more than happy to support him,” the defendant’s lawyer said.
With a long history of offending, defence counsel said Aranui was at risk of being institutionalised and needed help.
“He is still a relatively young man,” the defendant’s lawyer said.
Magistrate Teresa Anderson said it did not appear Aranui had made any progress towards rehabilitation.
“This was a clumsy attempt to break into a motel when you were under the influence,” Magistrate Anderson said.
“You’re accomodation was not stable and you felt like a failure.”
Magistrate Anderson sentenced Aranui to 21 months imprisonment with a non-parole period of 13 months.
The sentence was backdated to start on November 29 when Aranui was taken into custody.
