A man who stole firearms and attempted to sell them has been jailed after a string of offences.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Steven Matthew Gibbs, 27, of Goulburn, appeared before Goulburn Local Court on May 26. He was convicted of:
- Stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm
- Two charges of fail to appear in accordance with bail acknowledgement
- Acquire firearm without authority to do so
- Custody of knife in public place
- Three charges of drive motor vehicle during disqualification period
- Aggravated break and enter dwelling to steal
- Possess unauthorised firearm
Gibbs pleaded guilty to all charges including breaking into a shed in Young on July 27, 2020 and stealing firearms, as well as acquiring a firearm part the next day.
READ ALSO:
Magistrate Geraldine Beattie said Gibbs, and a co-accused, stole power tools, a safe containing four firearms, as well as 240 rounds of ammunition and scopes. The magistrate told the court police telephone interception had revealed Gibbs tried to sell the guns.
She said police stopped Gibbs' vehicle on July 28, 2020 on the Hume Highway, Yass. She told the court a police search of the vehicle found a 30cm long wooden handled knife near the handbrake, ammunition, and a .22-calibre magazine in the driver's door well.
Magistrate Beattie said the victim of the intimidation charge was a 16-year-old child.
She said Gibbs had told the victim, "I'm gonna punch your jaw off your head and knock your head off your shoulders".
"[Gibbs'] behaviour when arrested [for intimidation] by police demonstrated anger by yelling and smashing hands on the internal cage of the police truck," she said.
The magistrate presented to the court that Gibbs was detected driving while disqualified on June 27, July 7 and July 28, 2020.
She said on one occasion the offender tried to evade police. She presented to the court that he drove down a dark street, turned off the car and headlights, then gave police a fake name.
"On each occasion you knew you were disqualified," she said.
Solicitor Matthew Adam said his client committed the offences to fund his methamphetamine, known as 'meth', addiction.
He told the court Gibbs was born in Canberra before his family moved to Tasmania. He said Gibbs was taken into care as a child and ended up living with his father in Goulburn.
The solicitor said Gibbs attended Goulburn High School until year eight.
"Around this time he started to use drugs and come into contact with police," he said.
Mr Adam told the court the offender was diagnosed with PTSD, depression and anxiety.
"He realises he is [in jail] as a result of meth and other drug use," he said.
"[Gibbs is] clearly someone who has had significant troubles throughout his childhood, this is reflected in his drug use."
Gibbs received an aggregate sentence of three years full-time custody with a two-year non-parole period. His driver's licence was disqualified for one year upon release.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark our website
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Google News
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking news and regular newsletters