Man jailed for trying to siphon fuel from broadcast tower generator
Alec Harvey was sentenced for breaking into a broadcast transmission site in Eden and attempting to siphon fuel. (ABC Rural: Marty McCarthy)
In short;
Alec Harvey, 32, has been sentenced to 12 months' jail for donning a disguise and attempting to siphon diesel fuel from a broadcast transmitter site in Eden.
His defence lawyer said Harvey showed "remorse and contrition" for his actions.
What's next?
Harvey is due to be released on parole in December.
A man has been sentenced to 12 months' jail for breaking into a broadcast tower on the NSW Far South Coast in an attempt to siphon diesel from a backup generator used during emergencies.
Court documents show that Alec Harvey, 32, drove to a broadcast transmitter site on Palestine Creek Trail at Eden in August this year with his registration plates concealed and his face covered.
The site broadcasts local radio stations and provides internet to residents in the Eden area.
It runs off electricity but has a back-up diesel generator for emergencies, such as bushfires.
Palestine Creek Trail is just north of the township of Eden. (ABC South East NSW: Adriane Reardon)
CCTV cameras recorded Harvey at the site with a passenger, and saying: "Oi, there's another camera there. Oi, there's a camera up on the roof too. Should we go for it still or what?"
The passenger then used bolt cutters to break a padlock and Harvey assisted to force the gate open.
He then unravelled a hose from his vehicle to siphon diesel fuel with a pump.
The Berrambool man pleaded guilty to three charges, including entering land with intent to commit an indictable offence, having his face blackened or disguised with intent to commit an indictable offence, and dealing with property proceeds of crime relating to 500 litres of diesel valued at $1,250.
Harvey helped his passenger break open the gate at the broadcast transmission site. (ABC South East NSW: Adriane Reardon)
'A concerning offence'
Harvey appeared before Bega Local Court today via audiovisual link from the South Coast Correctional Centre in Nowra.
His defence lawyer Adam Sumbak told the court that Harvey was on parole in Victoria at the time of the offence.
He said his client's guilty pleas showed "a pragmatic representation of his contrition" and that he "displayed an appropriate level of remorse" for his actions.
The broadcast transmission site is located on a remote trail north of Eden. (ABC South East NSW: Adriane Reardon)
Judge Doug Dick described it as "a very concerning offence".
"It's got a back-up diesel generator there for a reason and it's crucial it operates," he said.
Harvey was sentenced to an aggregate jail term of 12 months, with a non-parole period of four months.
His prison sentence will be backdated from when he was taken into custody in August, meaning he will be eligible for parole in December.
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