A serial criminal who used a screwdriver to break into several Braddon businesses has admitted to more than a dozen offences, after he was caught red-handed on CCTV.
Matthew Mark Glass, 38, will be sentenced in the ACT Galambany Court on December 16 for nine burglaries, four minor thefts, two counts of damaging property and one count of possessing something with intent to use it for burglary.
He fronted the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday via audio-visual link from the Alexander Maconochie Centre, and told Special Magistrate Margaret Hunter "f--- your colleagues" when she refused him bail.
Police documents tendered to the court said that Glass, during a two-day crime spree in April this year, hit seven businesses, namely: Siam Orchid Traditional Thai Massage, Pressed Coffee Co, Gather Cafe, KIN Gallery, Koji Collection, Bento Tei and Ciao Cafe and Cakes.
He burgled one of the retailers twice and, on most occasions, forced his way into the businesses using a large screwdriver.
Glass came away from the crimes with a little more than $400 in cash, several diamonds and electronics including two iPads and a speaker, but was foiled when police spotted him wearing the same clothes businesses had captured on CCTV.
On Thursday, Glass' lawyer Chris Brown said his client had experienced "a very positive change in attitude" since being remanded in jail on April 20 for the offences.
He said if Ms Hunter were to grant Glass bail, it could "inform the sentencing process" in the Galambany Court by demonstrating how Glass handled being back in the community.
"[Glass] does seem to be a man that may be turning a corner," Mr Brown said.
But Ms Hunter was not convinced.
She said Glass had a "plethora" of burglary and theft charges, and had been done for similar offending in the past in the ACT, NSW and Victoria.
She said the bail application seemed "premature", given Glass would face sentencing on December 16.
"I don't propose to fetter my colleagues in sentencing options," Ms Hunter said.
After the magistrate refused Glass bail, he said "f--- your colleagues" and left the remote room.
