By Jed Lanyon
A burglar who caused more than $400,000 damange to numerous Yarra Valley properties, businesses and vehicles during a two year crime spree has been sentenced to six months in prison.
James Dosser, 21, was sentenced in the County Court on 3 December after pleading guilty to 19 charges, including five charges of burglary, five to the damage of property, eight counts of theft and a single count of attempted burglary. Prosser also pled guilty to one count of drug possession and one count of animal cruelty.
“The offending occurred between 11 December 2016 and 15 November 2018 involving some 11 separate properties broadly located in the Yarra Valley,” Judge Robert Dyer told the court.
Judger Dyer said the damage to property ranged from approximately $200 damage to a shed door, to the burglary and criminal damage of a business where the estimated cost of repair, loss of product and replacement of equipment was valued at $265,759.
The court heard of Prosser’s alcohol and drug fueled damage to an equestrian facility as well as to the livelihood of a local building tradesman, whose vehicle and tools were stolen.
“The prospect of you adequately compensating your victims remains, in my view, remote,” Judge Dyer said.
Judge Dyer said Prosser’s early guilty plea and his cooperation with police in naming accomplices to his crimes were taken into consideration when sentencing.
Prosser was sentenced to six months in jail and as well as a two year community corrections order.
