A Geelong criminal who terrorised a family during a drug-fuelled home invasion has been sentenced to prison, with a judge condemning the "terrifying" armed robbery that left victims traumatised.
Abynei Lacey, 22, will spend at least 12 months behind bars after admitting to storming a Lovely Banks property armed with a knife and demanding property from terrified occupants.
The Night of Terror
Geelong Magistrates Court heard how Lacey and an accomplice forced their way into the suburban home on October 13, 2022, while the victims were present. Armed with a knife and wearing dark clothing, the intruders created a scene of pure terror.
"Give us all your s***," Lacey allegedly demanded while brandishing the weapon, according to police prosecutors. The court was told the home invaders specifically asked for "weed and money" during the confrontation.
Desperate Escape and Police Chase
The ordeal escalated when one victim managed to flee the property and raise the alarm. Lacey and his accomplice made their escape in a stolen Holden Commodore, but their freedom was short-lived.
Police spotted the vehicle in Corio and initiated a pursuit that reached speeds of 140km/h in residential areas. The dangerous chase ended when the stolen car crashed, though Lacey initially managed to evade capture on foot.
Justice Served
Magistrate Catherine Lamers didn't mince words when sentencing Lacey, describing the home invasion as "inherently terrifying" for the victims. The court heard the psychological impact on the family had been severe and lasting.
Lacey received an 18-month prison sentence with a non-parole period of 12 months. He was also fined $500 for related driving offences, including driving while disqualified and reckless conduct endangering life.
The sentence sends a strong message that home invasions and armed robberies in our community will be met with serious consequences. For the victims of this terrifying ordeal, it represents a small measure of justice for the trauma they endured.
