By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A MALAYSIAN fruit picker who tried to burgle a house to fund his ticket home is facing deportation for free.
Rano Kayou, 26, who had no known family or friends in Australia, pleaded guilty to attempted burglary, being drunk in a public place and assault in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 17 May.
He had been staying unlawfully in Australia since 10 January, the court was told.
About 3.10am on 13 May, the home’s two occupants and brothers confronted Kayou in their front yard after being awoken by scratching at a bedroom window.
Kayou – who smelt of alcohol – allegedly threw a rock before he was overpowered and held to the ground by the brothers.
A defence lawyer said the accused had drunk a cask of wine on the night. He had overstayed his visa after arriving in Australia to pick fruit late last year.
Kayou just wanted to go home, the lawyer said.
Magistrate Jack Vandersteen retorted that he would probably be sent back to Malaysia for free.
Mr Vandersteen sentenced Kayou to three days’ jail, which had already been served in remand custody.
He said Kayou would be taken from police custody to an immigration detention facility.
“You will go home shortly.”
