AN attempt by Joshua John Miller to warn off a witness to his involvement in the theft of a safe has led to a 12-month jail term.
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Miller, 20, of Albury, pleaded guilty to a charge of doing an act with intent to influence a witness.
The jail term was imposed by Judge Ross Letherbarrow in the District Court at Albury with a minimum term of six months expiring on April 18.
Miller appeared in Albury Local Court last October and was committed for trial by magistrate Megan Greenwood, who rejected a bail application.
But he later pleaded guilty to the offence and appeared for sentencing.
Miller was in jail on charges relating to the theft of a safe from a house in Kiewa Street, Albury, on November 7, 2012.
It had $10,000 cash inside and jewellery and alcohol were also stolen.
An angle grinder was used to open the safe at the crematorium and a witness provided a number of statements to police.
Miller was on remand at Junee jail when he made a phone call to his brother about 12.45pm on January 3 last year.
Police said he spoke in “pig Latin”, identified the witness and said: “Oy, he dobbed me in bro”.
The response from his relative was: “Yeah, I know”.
Miller responded by saying: “You say not to go to court or I’ll break his legs”.
There was a further threat by Miller about breaking the jaw of the witness.
Police investigators interviewed Miller at Wagga and he denied knowledge of the comments.