A Hunter man has been ordered to pay a $330 fine after he was caught on camera stealing prized plants from a suburban garden in a late-night raid.
Caught on Camera: The Midnight Heist
Victor John Midgley pleaded guilty to a single charge of stealing plants in a garden when he appeared in Maitland Local Court on Wednesday, December 17. The court heard how the 50-year-old's crime was captured in clear detail by security cameras at a home in Rutherford.
The footage showed a man pulling his vehicle to the kerb at approximately 11:30pm on November 3. He then proceeded to remove a magnolia plant and a lavender plant from a neatly maintained garden bed before placing them into the boot of his car and driving away.
Police Investigation and Unusual Recovery
The theft was reported to police on November 5, prompting an investigation. Officers reviewed the available CCTV footage, which provided crucial evidence. Their inquiries led them a short time later to a nearby residence.
There, in the front garden, they located the stolen plants. In a somewhat unusual scene, the recovered magnolia and lavender were collected and transported back to their rightful owner in the back of a police paddy wagon at about 11:20am on November 6.
Court Outcome and Consequences
Following the investigation, Midgley was issued a court attendance notice. His appearance in Maitland Local Court this week resulted in a conviction and the $330 financial penalty.
The case serves as a clear reminder that theft, even of garden plants, is a criminal offence with real consequences. It also highlights the effectiveness of home security measures, like CCTV, in assisting police to solve crimes and return stolen property.
