Friday, 1 August 2008

Man jailed after stealing 29 payphones

A man will spend at least 14 months in jail for stealing 29 payphones from the Darwin area.

The 48-year-old said he wanted the money inside the phones for alcohol and DVDs.

Gregory Guy Smith pleaded guilty to stealing payphones worth $78,000 between September 2006 and January last year.

He used a chisel and a sledge hammer to break open the cashboxes and took $2,500 in coins.

He shared the proceeds with a co-offender.

The payphones were then dumped in bushland.

He also admitted stealing up to $26,000 worth of items including jewellery from the Framed Gallery in Stuart Park, as well as selling tools he stole from the back of a truck for $1,000.

Chief Magistrate Jenny Blokland described the crimes as serious and sentenced Smith to 28 months in jail.

He will be eligible for parole after 14 months.

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