Lavington man sent message saying he was helping 'mate' with a home reno'

Jesse Allan Tyrrell, clad in a high-visibility top, long pants and a pair of thongs when he fronted Albury Local Court, will be sentenced late next month.

The house being built by Alatalo Bros in Drover Court, Thurgoona, was targeted exactly 12 months ago.

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Police said the construction manager for the project visited the site on September 13 after receiving a message from the now-owner that the front door was wide open.

The manager quickly realised, after visiting the house, that several items had been stolen.

These included a free-standing cooktop, a dishwasher, the hot water service, tempering valves and several plumbing fixtures.

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Police said the front door was damaged by Tyrrell when he broke into the house.

Tyrrell, 28, of Parnall Street, pleaded guilty to a single charge of break and enter house and steal.

Mr Funston ordered the preparation of a sentence assessment report on Tyrrell, who was convicted in late 2019 over an incident where he stole a $1000 mountain bike and assaulted a motorist who confronted him. He also committed a $4000-plus Medicare fraud and, in total, was ordered to do 100 hours' community work.

The court was told how CCTV security footage showed a white utility entering Drover Court.

After the theft, Tyrrell's brother contacted the site manager as he believed the ute belonged to his father and was being driven that day by Tyrrell.

He believed Tyrrell was the thief, but Tyrrell denied this when the claim was put to him.

However, in a Facebook message sent on September 15, 2020, Tyrell admitted to the theft.

"Hi mate," he wrote, "to be honest we took a hot water system and a water pump 'n' fittings for a mate that's doing his house up. That's all we took."

Tyrrell will be sentenced on October 26.

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