A SOUTH Australian man will spend two months in jail after he stole a car amid a crime spree that ended in Horsham.
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Scott Aplin, 32, appeared in Horsham Magistrates’ Court on Monday for multiple offences including theft of a motor vehicle, number plates and petrol.
He was arrested in Victoria while on bail in South Australia for other matters.
Horsham police prosecutor Senior Constable Michelle Wentworth told the court that Aplin and his female passenger were involved in a petrol drive-off at the Caltex service station in Nelson Street, Nhill on October 27 at 7.40pm.
He had continued driving after filling his tank with petrol worth $41.05.
Senior Constable Wentworth said police stopped the vehicle at 8.26pm in Horsham. She said police discovered the car and registration plates were stolen. Aplin’s driver’s licence had also expired.
“He told police that he had won money at the pokies and bought the car,” Senior Constable Wentworth said.
Senior Constable Wentworth said police found a small blue pill believed to be viagra, as well as cannabis, keys used to pick locks and cards belonging to the owner of the vehicle after a search. She said there was also an intervention order between Aplin and his female passenger.
Aplin’s lawyer told the court that Aplin separated from his wife three years ago.
“The incident with his ex-wife has led to his downward spiral,” he said. “This is a man who, before 2016, was a qualified and trained fitter and turner.”
The court heard Aplin had been “heavily dependent” on methamphetamine for two-and-a-half years.
“He has voluntary admitted himself into a detox program and he is keen to readmit himself because he has identified this as a major problem,” the defence said.
The defence said Aplin had no convictions in Victoria.
Magistrate Ronald Saines sentenced Aplin to two months in jail and disqualified his driver’s licence for six months.
“He has seven priors of offending this year and is not long out of jail in South Australia,” Mr Saines said.
Aplin will serve two months’ jail in Victoria. He will then return to South Australia and face “further charges and consequences”, Mr Saines ruled.
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