Scone Matters in Muswellbrook Court

TWO Scone related matters were heard in Muswellbrook court today.

Peter Charles Burnett, a 59 year old from Muswellbrook presented to court in custody having pled guilty to charges of enter enclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse, five counts of break and enter house etc steal value less than or equal to $60,000, two count break and enter dwelling-house etc with intent and one count of destroy damage property less than $2,000.

• On November 16 and approximately 5pm the owner of a residence in Coolamon found their front door open and in their laundry found bedding on the floor which was described as being used to “create some kind of nest that someone had been sleeping in”. When police attended they found a cigarette butt which they sent to forensics and found DNA which matched Mr Burnett’s.
• Between November 15 and November 18, the Coolamon Preschool was broken into and $200 cash was stolen. Police found an adult-sized sock and obtained DNA from the sock, which matched Mr Burnett’s.
• Between November 15 and November 18, the Early Childhood Centre in Coolamon, which was estimated to be two minutes from the Preschool was broken into and a wooden money box was broken into, but nothing was stolen from the premises.
• Between November 24 and November 25 there was an attempted forced entry at the rear door, side window and side door of the garage at the Singleton Fire Station. A crowbar was used for the attempted break-in, which was left at the scene and forensics were able to obtain DNA from the crowbar, which matched Mr Burnett’s. 
• On December 5, the premises of Roger and Wells Psychology on Kelly Street, Scone was broken into, a cash box was opened and $200 was stolen.
• On December 6, the premises of Katie Shan Legal was broken into and Mr Burnett attempted to open a grey safe, but was unsuccessful and left the property empty-handed. Forensics were able to obtain fingerprints which linked Mr Burnett to the scene.
• On December 6, The Cottage on Kelly Street, Scone had CCTV footage which showed Mr Burnett attempting to gain access, with a large flat bladed screw driver damaging the door in the process. The police facts stated that he “was not wearing gloves and was aware that CCTV was operating as he looked directly at it.”
• On December 18, Mr Roger from Roger and Wells Psychology was alerted by his phone that their newly installed motion sensor cameras had detected motion in their building and video showed Mr Burnett walking through the dwelling. Police were notified and Mr Roger saw the victim sitting in Elizabeth Park drinking a coffee. Police arrived and after a short foot pursuit arrested Mr Burnett and found him in possession house breaking implements, cash and a locked money tin. The items were seized and the filing cabinets at Roger and Wells Psychology were found damaged.

The police facts described Mr Burnett’s record as poor and “included an extensive history which related to 60 charges since 1974 for break/enter/steal offences, intention offences, malicious damage, judicial offences, stealing offences, steal from dwelling and possession of implements offences.”

Mr Burnett told police he has a gambling habit and catches the train to and from destinations, explaining he had travelled by train from Sydney and arrived in Scone at 8pm on December 17. That night he said he had slept on a balcony within a hall and woke up at approximately 4:30am and not having any money, broke into the location using a crowbar.

Mr Burnett has previously had alias names of Steven Jeoffrey Jambetta, Harold Jambetta, Peter Gerrard and Peter Burnett.

Bail was refused and the matters were adjourned until February 18 for sentencing. 

Thomas Edward Fishburn, a 35 year old from Scone also appeared in Muswellbrook Local Court in custody and pled guilty to a charge of break and enter dwelling-house etc with intent (steal). The charge related to a break and enter on a one bedroom apartment on Birrell Street, Scone. Mr Fishburn was refused bail and the matter was adjourned for hearing on March 4. 

The Scone Court Report will be published early next week.