A man who was wearing camouflage clothing and had a homemade balaclava in his bag when he was searched by police at 4.30am said he was going to wear the balaclava as a joke when he bought bread and milk from a service station.
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Jamie Mathew Maxwell, 45, of Nunns Avenue, did not appear in Orange Local Court where he was convicted for possessing housebreaking implements after entering a plea of guilty.
Police were patrolling Bathurst Road on June 21 when they saw Maxwell walking down the road near the Glenroi Road intersection while wearing camouflage pants, a khaki coloured jumper and carrying a bag.
Police stopped to speak with him after there were a number of reports of recent break and enters which were committed by a person wearing camouflage pants.
I note the plea of guilt, I note the facts and I know the history.
- Magistrate Karen Robinson
Police were also aware of a high volume of property- related offences taking place in the Glenroi area in the early hours of the morning after 4am.
Checks also revealed Maxwell's criminal history included property-related offences so he was searched and police found the balaclava, a pair of white canvas gloves with rubber grip on the palms, a small USB torch and a jar of Vegemite.
He was arrested and taken to Orange Police Station where he participated in a recorded interview.
He said he made the balaclava as a joke and was going to wear it to the service station to buy bread and milk but decided not to.
MAP: The intersection of Glenroi Avenue and Bathurst Road ...
Maxwell said he had the gloves because it was cold and the torch was so he could find his way out of his back door.
He also said he had the Vegemite so he could dip the bread in it and make a sandwich on his way home.
However, police said Maxwell had no wallet or money in his possession and the gloves were too thin to be cold weather gloves but the grips would be useful for breaking into cars or houses.
Magistrate Karen Robinson fined Maxwell $750 on Monday.
"I note the plea of guilt, I note the facts and I know the history," Ms Robinson said.
"My preference was to give him an order but when he's just started a new job I won't have him brought here."
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