A man named Steven Laurie Russell Dear has been given a 12-month prison sentence for committing aggravated burglary in Kalgoorlie. Dear broke into a residence while a mother and her three children were at home, where he proceeded to help himself to a pork roast from their freezer. The judge, Karen Ann Shepard, stressed the unsettling nature of the intrusion, highlighting the importance of feeling safe within one’s own home.
The incident, which saw Dear simply walk through an unlocked door while the family was inside, left the victim understandably frightened. Judge Shepard noted the impact on the woman, emphasizing that everyone deserves to feel secure in their own residence. While Dear managed to avoid a sentence for stealing the pork roast, he was held accountable for the more serious charge of aggravated burglary.
Dear’s sentence has been backdated to his initial custody date, making him eligible for parole. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting others’ homes and the right to feel safe within them.