A teenager who participated in a “terrifying” Hoppers Crossing home invasion last year in which a home owner was bashed and a car stolen, has been sentenced to almost four years in jail.
Ajok Mayen pleaded guilty to four charges, including home invasion, recklessly causing injury, theft and conduct endangering serious injury.
At a sentencing hearing in the County Court this month, Judge Michael Tinney said that Mayen, then aged 18 and on bail, and five others entered the Hoppers Crossing home in April, 2017.
The four occupants – the 54-year-old home owner, his wife, a female friend and her baby – were asleep.
Judge Tinney said the home owner, who came to Australia as a refugee in 2014, was punched a number of times as the group searched for his car keys. He was held to the ground and punched again as the intruders tried to start a VW car in his garage.
After they failed to start the car, they got into a second car at the property and drove away.
That evening, the Victoria Police Air Wing helicopter followed the car as it was driven by Mayen.
Judge Tinney said footage from the air wing showed Mayen engaged in “crazy manoeuvres” and “highly dangerous” driving, which forced other motorists to take evasive action.
Judge Tinney described the home invasion as “terrifying”.
He said it had affected the 54-year-old home owner physically, emotionally and financially. He said the victim felt “vulnerable, isolated and scared”.
But Judge Tinney said he was prepared to accept that Mayen was “remorseful” for his crimes. He said that Mayen had undertaken educational courses since being placed in custody in May last year and that he had a supportive family.
Judge Tinney sentenced Mayen to a total of three years and 10 months in prison, which included the 352 days already served in custody.
Mayen will be ineligible for parole for two years.
Judge Tinney said he expected the other group members to face court proceedings.
