A Far South Coast man who went on a crime spree with the desire to go to jail has been sentenced on 40 offences in Batemans Bay Local Court this week.
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Richard Cody Callaghan, 20, of Coolagolite, pleaded guilty to all charges, relating to a string of break and enters, thefts and driving matters committed between October 2017 and March this year.
Police said Callaghan broke into businesses, houses and a caravan, from Bodalla to Bermagui, stealing thousands of dollars worth of goods.
Callaghan’s offending included the ransacking of a Bodalla petrol station in March, in which up to $10,000 worth of cigarettes was stolen.
Police said Callaghan was also involved in a police pursuit involving a stolen motorcycle at Wallaga Lake in January.
Callaghan appeared via audio-visual link in Batemans Bay Court on Monday.
Defence solicitor John Edmunds said Callaghan’s criminal behaviour stemmed from a sense of “self-loathing”.
“He wished to get locked up to get his life back on track,” Mr Edmunds said.
Mr Edmunds said Callaghan turned himself in to police after the service station break and enter and showed officers his stash of stolen cigarettes.
“A number of outstanding driving and property offences were put to him … he readily admitted to the ones he was involved in,” he said.
Magistrate Doug Dick told Callaghan to consider the more than 30 victims who had suffered from his crimes.
“It’s not all about you, it’s about all these victims as well,” Mr Dick said.
“Just because you’re going through a tough time doesn’t mean you can create a tough time for other people.”
Callaghan was sentenced to three years’ jail, with a non-parole period of 18 months.