An Amaroo man with 'HARD' tattooed across his fingers is before the courts again accused of being involved in stealing cars left unattended with keys inside.
Gavin Massey, 38, was released to a 12-month suspended jail sentence only in April and appeared via video link in the ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday accused of stealing a car and being involved with two other stolen vehicles in the past fortnight.
Mr Massey, listed as being a TAFE student, has not pleaded to the charges of unlawful possession of stolen property, burglary, stealing a car, driving a car without consent, unlicensed driving and breaching good behaviour orders.
Police documents tendered to the court accuse Mr Massey of stealing a white Haval Jolion SUV in Watson on June 29.
CCTV footage from a neighbouring house captured a black Audi, alleged to also have been stolen, approaching the driveway before Mr Massey, wearing a black hoodie-style jumper, approached the open garage.
MORE NEWS
- Asbestos pipes under school oval make it 'unusable', inquiry hears
- ACT cold climate poses a challenge for gas transition
- Woman admits to 'reckless' arson of Housing ACT rental
Two days later, video footage at Weston McDonalds captured the accused and an unidentified female passenger in the SUV using the restaurant's drive-through facility.
On the morning of July 6, a white Holden Commodore station wagon was reported to police as being stolen after the owner left the car in the driveway while the keys were in the ignition.
Later that day, police found the SUV and the Audi in Franklin before they shortly found the Commodore in Gungahlin.
The significant history, the recency of offending and the orders already in place ... the concerns are significantly high.
Magistrate Robert Cook
Mr Massey, who did not have a driver's licence at the time of the alleged offending, was arrested at about 11.30pm on Tuesday after trying to flee on foot from police in Gungahlin.
Police found the Commodore's key near where he was arrested.
In court, the defence argued for bail, saying Mr Massey could reside at one of two places - including with his mother - with a 24-hour curfew to mitigate concerns.
The defence lawyer also said Mr Massey had been complying with counselling services and played a significant role in caring for his mother, who has medical conditions that affect her doing everyday tasks.
The court heard his partner could also provide surety as part of bail.
The prosecutor opposed bail, saying there was a strong likelihood of Mr Massey committing further offences, it was a strong prosecution case with video evidence and the current charges being similar to his previous convictions.
The prosecutor said a jail term was also likely if Mr Massey is convicted of the charges.
Magistrate Robert Cook denied bail, saying the prosecution case appeared to be strong and that there was the risk of Mr Massey likely to reoffend if granted bail.
"There's ongoing compliance with supervision and working with CatholicCare in relation to counselling," he said.
"I have regard to those matters. However, the significant history, the recency of offending and the orders already in place ... the concerns are significantly high.
"I'm satisfied there is a risk that if you're returned to the community, you will reoffend."
The accused is scheduled to front court again on July 28.
