Nine months as own jailer

Michael John Peter Griffiths of Cobra Street in Mendooran was dealt with at the Local Court on July 6 charged with larceny of $3000.

Police facts tendered to the court revealed the offence was committed between 10.50am on April 23, 2014 and 6.42am on April 30, 2014.

Griffiths entered a plea of guilty to the offence and will effectively be his own jailer after receiving a nine month suspended jail sentence and a stern reprimand from magistrate Robert Rabbidge who told him “you’re a liar, you have a lengthy record of dishonesty”.

In facts tendered to the court police described Griffith’s criminal history as “very colourful covering a wide variety of offences.

On Sunday, April 20 police say Griffiths was contacted by a person who was interested in purchasing a vehicle from and elderly person.

Arrangements where then made for Griffiths to drive the vehicle of interest from Sydney to Portland for the victim.

Griffiths later told the victim that the owner requested a $1000 deposit before he would be allowed to drive the vehicle to Portland.

As a result the victim was provided with bank account details to deposit the money.

The victim eventually transferred $3000 to the bank account and was told by Griffith that he was bring the vehicle to Portland.

On Sunday, April 27 the victim finally contacted the accused, after several unsuccessful attempts but Griffiths hang up when the victim said who it was who was calling.

On April 28 the victim sent a text message to the accused but received no reply. The matter was then reported to police.

On Monday, September 8, 2014 Griffiths was interviewed and made admissions regarding the purchase of the vehicle and the funds.

He told police that when he went to pick up the vehicle the owner and the vehicle were gone.

He said he had to wait for insurance to repay the funds to the victim and said he then gave the full amount back to the victim. The victim told police this did not happen.