James Robertson, a 38-year-old from Red Hill, was granted bail by the ACT Magistrates Courts last week. Photo: Albert McKnight.
A diplomat’s home in Canberra was allegedly burgled last week by a man who describes himself as a former communications professional.
Officers were called to a diplomatic residence in Red Hill early on the morning of 5 June after reports of a burglary, an ACT Policing spokesperson said.
Items believed to have been stolen during the incident included electronic devices, cutlery and crockery.
Police also received a report of a second burglary in the suburb on the same night.
A short time later, police went to a home in Red Hill where they allegedly found property that had been stolen during both burglaries.
Police allege a man who matched the description of a person seen in CCTV footage from the diplomatic residence was arrested at this home.
The man, 38-year-old James Robertson, faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday (5 June) charged with two counts of burglary and one count of damaging the premises of an internationally protected person.
He applied for bail, which was opposed by the prosecution.
His lawyer, Samuel Collett of Legal Aid, said his client had reported he previously had a communications business and developed health issues when he was in Samoa, from which he returned three years ago.
Mr Collett said his client, a religious man who attended church each week, had found himself in court “in strange circumstances”, noting he had no criminal history and there was nothing to suggest he had an issue with illicit substances.
The lawyer also noted that information before the court suggested a significant portion of the evidence in the case was currently inadmissible in the proceedings.
Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker said she was concerned about the allegations, which were of two brazen entries into properties, including a diplomatic address, near where Mr Robertson lived.
She was also somewhat concerned about the state of his mental health and was cognisant of the concerns the occupants of the premises would have.
But Chief Magistrate Walker ultimately thought conditions could ameliorate the risks of bail and granted it on the condition that he reside under a curfew in Red Hill and not go near the two addresses where the alleged burglaries took place.
The matter will return to court on 3 July. No pleas were entered.
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