A SMASH and grab case has been solved – after 12 years.
Collie Magistrate’s Court last week accepted a guilty plea from a 35 year old man to two smash-and-grab offences.
Clinton McKenzie was also charged with more recent crimes, which included willful damage of property, breach of bail and driving without a licence.
McKenzie was fined a total fine of $6100 with total costs of $457.20, and was ordered to pay $457.20 compensation.
Police Prosecutor Snr Sgt Greg Martyn told the court that McKenzie had used a rock to break into two cars at the Bunbury Entertainment Centre carpark in 2000.
McKenzie had stolen a Kenwood stereo, valued at $300, and several CDs.
His legal representative, Paul Chapman, said McKenzie had committed the smash-and-grab offences shortly after being attacked by an outlawed motorcycle gang in his own house.
Mr Chapman said that during the attack, McKenzie had been hit in the head with a brick and had had to relearn to walk and talk as a result.
McKenzie committed the crime at a time when he had not fully recovered from the injury, Mr Chapman said.
He said McKenzie had suffered memory loss around the time of the smash-and-grab crimes and was assuming guilt despite not knowing exactly what had happened.
McKenzie left for New South Wales shortly after the crimes had been committed, as he feared further attack by the same bikie gang, Mr Chapman said.
McKenzie returned to Collie late last year for work and also to avoid charges laid by NSW police.
McKenzie’s outstanding charges might have gone unnoticed if he had not submitted a complaint to the Collie police involving a friend’s stolen bike. They had been revealed when his police record was checked.
