Another criminal gets the NA get out of jail card. He had over 40 charges and 20 years behind bars. Just a slap on the wrist and going to NA meetings to sit next to vulnerable women and minors.
Long-term drug addict freed despite coastal crime spree
13th Apr 2013 6:00 AM
A SERIAL criminal picked up $23,000 from an unlocked pub safe and blew it on a five-day drug binge during a prolonged crime spree on the Sunshine and Fraser Coasts.
Darryl Raymond Green also stole $340 worth of raw meat for fun, clothing from a women’s store and a drill from Bunnings while telling staff to “f*** off”.
But the 37-year-old with a 20-year history behind bars claims he has finally turned a corner and will take hold of the chance to return normality to his life.
Green pleaded guilty in the Brisbane District Court on Friday to about 40 charges, including 14 break enter and steal, five stolen property possession and five breach of bail charges.
Crown Prosecutor Katrina Overell said the offences were committed between September 2011 and January 2012, from the Sunshine Coast to Brisbane.
The worst of the long-term drug addict’s crimes was committed at the Weeroona Hotel in Goodna, where Green stole $23,000 in cash from an unlocked safe.
Ms Overell said a staff member asked Green if he was robbing them before he replied: “f*** yeah” and walked out with the bundle of cash.
He told police he blew the money over five days on heroin and ice.
Green also snatched cash and property from the Red Rooster in Buderim, a property in Salisbury and walked out of Bunnings Warehouse in Maroochydore with a drill while telling the staff to “f*** off”.
After he was arrested in 2011, he was released on bail only to continue his crime spree.
Ms Overell said Green stole $340 in raw meat from the IGA at Acacia Ridge, only to leave it to go off in a neighbouring property.
He also stole women’s clothing from a shop in Graceville, near Brisbane.
Green came undone again when police caught up with him at Maryborough.
Ms Overell said he ran from police, gave a false name and obstructed officers.
Police also found stolen Maryborough hotel membership cards in his hotel room.
Ms Overell revealed Green’s lengthy criminal history spanning Queensland and his birth state of NSW.
“It appears the prisoner has been institutionalised for the last 20 years,” she said.
The defence argued Green, who at one point had a $1500-a-day drug habit, had since realised this was his one chance to achieve normality in his life.
“He is a man who knows, really for the first time, has taken steps to stay off the drugs,” his defence barrister said.
The defence submitted Green wanted to be in his grandchildren’s lives and hoped to move to the Sunshine Coast on his release to complete a narcotics anonymous program.
Judge David Reid sentenced Green to three years in jail for the offences but ordered he be released on parole immediately.Green had served 466 days in custody.