A Bellambi man has been spared a prison sentence after a "terrifying" armed home invasion took a shocking turn when the victim realised one of the masked intruders was a man he knew.
Court Spares Man After Bizarre Recognition During Robbery
Daniel Potts, 27, appeared in Wollongong Local Court for sentencing on December 3 after pleading guilty to charges of intimidation and entering a building with intent to commit an offence. Magistrate David Williams warned Potts to "be careful who your friends are" as he handed down a community-based sentence instead of jail time.
The court heard the incident unfolded late on March 13 in the Illawarra suburb of Tarrawanna. Potts, known as "Pottsy", parked his silver Kia Rio outside a home before he and a co-accused, armed with a metal pole and a machete, donned balaclavas and entered through a rear laundry door.
The victim awoke to find two masked figures standing over him, brandishing their weapons. The situation took a bizarre turn when the victim recognised one of the intruders.
"Pottsy, what are you doing this for?" the victim asked upon realising the identity of the masked man.
Invasion Escalates as Neighbour Intervenes
Following the recognition, the two men removed their balaclavas and ordered the victim to the floor. They demanded to know the location of a woman's belongings. The victim, fearing for his safety, pleaded with the intruders not to harm his dog before leading the co-accused to a bedroom to pack items into a duffel bag.
The tension escalated further when a neighbour, armed with a baseball bat, arrived at the scene to check if help was needed. In an attempt to defuse the situation and avoid further violence, the victim told the neighbour, "Yeah, it's ok, go home, we're all good bro."
Both Potts and his co-accused subsequently left the property. They were later arrested at another home in Tarrawanna.
Magistrate's Stern Warning and Sentence
In court, Magistrate David Williams described the home invasion as an "extremely serious" offence. He noted that the imminent threat of harm "would've been terrifying for the victim".
Magistrate Williams stated that had it not been for Potts's previously clear criminal record, he would have been sent to prison. "He accepts the stupidity of his decision making," the Magistrate said. "I hope the court will never see him again."
As a result, Daniel Potts was sentenced to a 15-month intensive correction order (ICO), a community-based jail term that allows him to serve his sentence under strict supervision in the community rather than behind bars.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the severe legal consequences for violent home invasions in New South Wales, even when the offender is known to the victim.
