A MOTHER and son involved in a fire that caused $419,000 worth of damage to a Daylesford bakery will be sentenced in the Ballarat County Court today.
Rodney James Rodgers, 19, was working as an apprentice baker at the Vincent St premises in 2004 when he suggested to his sister and cousin that they should break in and trash the premises so he could have a few days off work,
the court heard yesterday.
Crown prosector David Cordy said Rodney Rodgers told the girls there would be $5000 on the premises that they could have as a "reward".
Rodgers' sister and cousin declined the offer. But on the evening of July 7, Rodgers' mother, Judith Ellen Rodgers, 38, Travis John Kinseley, and his girlfriend agreed to share money stolen from the bakery, the court heard.
Rodney Rodgers, then 17, had a key to the bakery because he had to work in the evenings to prepare the dough for the next day's baking.
Mr Cordy said that on the night of July 7, 2004 Rodney Rodgers had gone home in a hurry leaving his wallet and keys at his mother's house. At 2am on July 8, Kinseley who was living at Judith Rodgers' house broke into the
bakery, stole $400 and set it alight to cover his tracks. Rodney Rodgers didn't hear about the fire until the next morning, the court heard.
Mr Cordy said Kinseley claimed that he committed the crime because of pressure from Judith Rodgers, with Rodney Rodgers having instigated and suggested the break-in in the first place.
Defence Counsel for Judith Rodgers, Mark Rochford said his client had initially told Rodney Rodgers he was being stupid. But later in the evening after a few drinks she decided to split the money three ways with Kinseley and
his girlfriend.
He said Kinseley had been living at Judith Rodgers' house rent free, she was providing him with food, was struggling financially and looking after two young children.
Judith Rodgers didn't actually get a share of the stolen money, although she consumed cigarettes and alcohol bought with the proceeds, the court heard.
Counsel for Rodney Rodgers, Mr Kevin Doyle, said his sister and cousin hadn't taken the suggestion seriously and by trashing the place he meant putting pieces of paper around the bakery.
Judith Rodgers of Lane St, Boulder, WA, pleaded guilty to one count of burglary and one count of theft. Her son, Rodney James Rodgers of Lacote Rd, Greendale, also pleaded guilty to one count of theft and one count of burglary.