Shaun Patrick Coughlan was sentenced in Wagga Local Court on Monday after pleading guilty to five property related offences.

The 30-year-old was convicted of breaking and entering a dwelling to steal, breaking and entering with intent to steal, dishonestly obtaining financial advantage, entering a vehicle without consent and larceny.  

According to the facts tendered to the court, Coughlan broke into a Kooringal home between August 8 and 9, escaping with the owner’s handbag and its contents. 

Coughlan later used a stolen card from the handbag to purchase $100 worth of Telstra credit. Hours later he broke into another home, just three doors down on on the same street, around 4am. 

Coughlan went on to break into an unlocked Toyota Aurion outside a Kooringal home in September, escaping with $400 worth of stolen property. 

Family present in the public gallery broke down in tears as Coughlan was escorted into custody. 

Magistrate Erin Kennedy told Coughlan he was not understanding his actions from a victim’s point of view. 

“The facts of this remind us that this is someone’s home – it’s their safe place and they deserve the protection of the court,” she said. 

“It’s horror movie stuff which terrifies people.” Coughlan was sentenced to seven months’ imprisonment with a non-parole period of three months, as well as two concurrent 12-month good behaviour bonds.