A DARLEY man thieved jewellery from family members after seeing them at a party and deciding to drive around to their unoccupied home, a court has heard.
Among Joshua Adrian Ford’s crime spree, he was also caught in possession of guns, drugs and a machete.
The 23-year-old appeared in the dock of Ballarat Magistrates Court yesterday, where he was jailed for 12 months with a four-month minimum.
Ford pleaded guilty to 23 charges, including multiple theft and driving related charges, possessing a controlled weapon without an excuse and behaving in a riotous manner in a public place.
According to prosecution summary obtained by The Courier, in February this year police raided Ford’s Darley home, seizing an extensive list of property including jewellery, tools, electrical goods, camera equipment and GPS units.
They also found two shortened firearms, a blade knife and a machete.
The items were linked to a series of thefts and burglaries around Bacchus Marsh.
Then in June this year Ford and his partner attended a party in Miners Rest. When Ford saw the victims arrive - two relatives of his - he left the party and drove to their Scarsdale home, entering the premises and stealing jewellery.
The burglary was discovered after police later attempted to intercept Ford for not wearing a seatbelt.
According to the summary, Ford was also involved in a brawl outside Bluestone Nightclub in June last year.
In sentencing, magistrate Peter Couzens said there was still hope for Ford.
“For a person of 23 years of age, you’ve got a very significant history,” he said.
“But throughout all this, largely you’ve been a worker. You’ve been able to maintain employment despite your drug habit.”
The father-of-two will serve a minimum of four months in prison. He has already served 40 days.