Accused denies crimes

But Trevor Barrett put his hand up on Tuesday to a series of car crimes that police told Albury Local Court happened at the same time.

“He is currently before the courts on serious matters including armed robbery, aggravated break and enter and stealing cars,” police said.

“In order to obtain vehicles and mobile phones he has resorted to robbery with arms, terrifying the community.”

Barrett, who recently turned 20 in custody, appeared via a video link to jail.

The police search for Barrett involving Albury-Wodonga officers supported by officers drawn from as far afield as Sydney and Deniliquin, ended with his arrest in Springdale Heights on December 11.

They were acting on a tip-off.

Barrett was arrested without incident and charged with a large number of offences, including aggravated carjacking and driving a vehicle at police to avoid arrest.

These were all adjourned to March 5 for further mention, as were the nine charges to which he pleaded guilty including several counts of enter a vehicle without consent and larceny.

The first incident occurred in late October, while others were on November 19 – the same day Barrett is alleged to have committed the more serious criminal matters – and November 20.

The court was told how a woman who lived in Albert Street, Lavington, was woken about 2.30am on October 27 by the sound of someone starting her car and driving away.

She couldn’t find her car keys, then realised they must have been left in the vehicle.

Police found the car the next day in Green Place, Albury, about 10.50am, missing the number plates. Barrett’s fingerprints were all over the car.

On November 19, Barrett ransacked a car taken from the driveway of a woman’s Royce Crescent, Lavington, home, stealing $25 in coins and a credit card belonging to another person.

Other vehicles were taken, including a black Kia seen driving “in a manner dangerous” around Albury.