A man who stole $3 in change from a parked car has been put behind bars for stealing and prowling about a dwelling house.

Richard Dill, 48, admitted both offences, which occurred in the early hours of June 14 in the Langdon Lane area.

The court heard that at around 2.45am, the complainant was awoken by her boyfriend, who told her that someone was inside her vehicle which was parked outside the house.

They went outside and saw Dill inside the car, looking around using a cigarette lighter. Confronted by the boyfriend, Dill got out of the vehicle and swung an umbrella at the boyfriend before making good his escape.

Dill was subsequently arrested and, when questioned by police, readily admitted the incident and taking between $2 and $3 of coins from the vehicle. He reportedly told officers that he had been trying to find money to pay drug debts.

Prosecutor Carrington Mahoney noted that Dill had a “catalogue” of prior offences stretching back more than 30 years.

Magistrate Archibald Warner ordered Dill appear in Drug Treatment Court so they could determine if he would be suitable for the programme, otherwise remanding him until July 5 for sentencing.

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