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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
National
Blake Foden

Home invader admits role in 'disturbing' house smash-up

Home invader Damien Andy, who has pleaded guilty to three charges. Picture: Facebook

A home invader has admitted playing a role in smashing up a woman's house during a "disturbing" intrusion that left the victim clutching her baby in fear as her other child hid in a neighbour's yard.

Queanbeyan man Damien Thomas Andy, 39, appeared in the ACT Supreme Court on Thursday, almost a year to the day since he and three others wreaked havoc at a Taylor home.

Andy pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated burglary, property damage and theft.

He is yet to confirm the precise details of his offending, but prosecutor Morgan Howe told the court an agreement on the facts was "close".

In the wake of the incident on September 3 last year, however, police provided an outline of what was alleged in documents tendered to the ACT Magistrates Court.

They said three of the home invaders were armed with baseball bats, while the other was allegedly brandishing a stick, when the group smashed a window at the front of the victim's home and entered through it.

Police claimed the victim had recognised Andy and another of the home invaders, who were known to her and whose faces were "clearly visible".

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One of the intruders was said to have thrown a bat at the woman as she ran outside with her one-year-old daughter in her arms.

Members of the group had then moved through the house to "smash and destroy" the victim's belongings.

They eventually left behind five broken windows, two smashed televisions, broken furniture, and holes in the walls and doors.

The theft charge Andy pleaded guilty to on Thursday indicated an Xbox One X and a "glass smoking implement" were also stolen.

Following the entry of the pleas, Chief Justice Helen Murrell listed the 39-year-old for sentence on September 10.

She said she planned to indicate a sentence that morning before referring Andy for a preliminary assessment of his suitability for a drug and alcohol treatment order.

Such an order would result in Andy receiving a suspended jail sentence and being given the opportunity to complete a treatment program.

Others charged over the incident, which Magistrate Glenn Theakston once called "alarming and disturbing", remain before the courts.

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