The man responsible for a string of home and shed burglaries across Collie and Australind has received a three and a half year jail sentence after pleading guilty to almost 60 offences.
Paul Van Den Enden attended Bunbury Magistrates Court for sentencing on Friday, July 27 via video link from Bunbury Regional Prison, where he remained in custody.
The 30-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to the 17 stealing charges, 14 counts of gaining benefits via fraud, 10 counts of burglary, and six counts of committing home burglaries at his last court appearance on May 25.
Van Den Enden also pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing stolen or unlawfully obtained property, three counts of fraud, two counts of possessing a firearm/ammunition without a licence, two counts of possessing drug paraphernalia, and one charge of possessing cannabis on that day.
On Friday, he pleaded guilty to a further charge of stealing a box trailer – worth $400 – in Collie on January 28.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Greg Ward told the court Van Den Enden had committed 11 home and shed burglaries across Australind – with many of the properties residing near his Barnes Avenue home – between January 28 and April 16 this year.
Between December 19 and March 3, Van Den Enden also committed five home and shed burglaries at residences in Collie, centring around Wallsend, Ogden and Deakin streets.
Sergeant Ward said items taken during his burglary spree in Australind and Collie included 53 .22 ammunition bullets, chainsaws, tools, fridges, fishing equipment, and CCTV gear.
He said Van Den Enden then made numerous trades at Cash Converters and Advanced Cash and Gold in Bunbury after the thefts.
On April 10 in Collie, Van Den Enden was found with cannabis, a smoking implement, and a stolen Lenovo laptop in his possession.
During a search warrant at his Barnes Avenue residence, police found stolen items in Van Den Enden’s bedroom.
Van Den Enden’s lawyer, Michael Joubert, said his client was deeply remorseful for his actions.
Magistrate Belinda Coleman said Van Den Enden’s crimes had caused trauma and despair for his victims.
