Man jailed for attempting to siphon diesel from NSW South Coast broadcast tower
A 32-year-old man has been sentenced to 12 months in jail for breaking into a broadcast transmission site in Eden and attempting to siphon diesel fuel from a backup generator. Alec Harvey, of Berrambool, was sentenced in Bega Local Court via audiovisual link from the South Coast Correctional Centre in Nowra.
A 32-year-old man has been sentenced to 12 months in jail for breaking into a broadcast transmission site in Eden and attempting to siphon diesel fuel from a backup generator.
Alec Harvey, of Berrambool, was sentenced in Bega Local Court via audiovisual link from the South Coast Correctional Centre in Nowra. Court documents show that Harvey drove to the site on Palestine Creek Trail in August with his registration plates concealed and his face covered.
The site broadcasts local radio stations and provides internet to residents in the Eden area. It runs off electricity but has a back-up diesel generator for emergencies, such as bushfires.
CCTV cameras recorded Harvey at the site with a passenger, and saying: "Oi, there's another camera there. Oi, there's a camera up on the roof too. Should we go for it still or what?"
The passenger then used bolt cutters to break a padlock and Harvey assisted to force the gate open. He then unravelled a hose from his vehicle to siphon diesel fuel with a pump.
Harvey pleaded guilty to three charges, including entering land with intent to commit an indictable offence, having his face blackened or disguised with intent to commit an indictable offence, and dealing with property proceeds of crime relating to 500 litres of diesel valued at $1,250.
His defence lawyer, Adam Sumbak, told the court that Harvey was on parole in Victoria at the time of the offence. He said his client's guilty pleas showed "a pragmatic representation of his contrition" and that he "displayed an appropriate level of remorse" for his actions.
Judge Doug Dick described it as "a very concerning offence". "It's got a back-up diesel generator there for a reason and it's crucial it operates," he said.
Harvey was sentenced to an aggregate jail term of 12 months, with a non-parole period of four months. His prison sentence will be backdated from when he was taken into custody in August, meaning he will be eligible for parole in December.