By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A 25-YEAR-OLD man who swiped a cash-filled wallet from the hand of a 74-year-old man at a Keysborough shopping centre on Christmas Eve will be released from jail just before Christmas this year.
Marek Kaya snatched the wallet filled with $600 and bank cards and fled a short distance into a parked Toyota Yaris about 1.30pm on 24 December 2014, a court was told on 23 May.
The victim, in pursuit, banged on the Yaris’s window as Kaya reversed then drove quickly forward.
He claimed he was struck by the fleeing car, which sported a stolen number plate, police told Dandenong Magistrates’ Court.
The victim, after being treated for grazes to his knee and arm at Monash Medical Centre, reported to police later on Christmas Day that there were several illegal transactions in Boronia and Scoresby using the stolen cards.
The pensioner received ongoing physiotherapy for his sprained knee, the court was told.
During a police interview in Port Phillip Prison in March, Kaya denied “touching” the man during the theft and pursuit.
“I’m not a dog,” he told police.
“I was so careful. I was going so slow when reversing (in the Yaris).”
Out of guilt, Kaya claimed to have left behind one of the man’s cards, which was found and handed into a bank at Parkmore Shopping Centre.
He was charged with theft, recklessly causing injury, unlicensed driving and obtaining property by deception.
Defence lawyer Nick Power told the court that Kaya was unaware that the victim fell as the Yaris drove away.
“It’s certainly not a case where the victim is standing in front of the car and my client ploughs into him.”
Mr Power conceded Kaya’s “serious” 10-year criminal history – regularly relating to drug use – did the accused “no credit”.
Kaya, who appeared by video-link, was already serving a nine-month jail sentence for property-related charges including theft of the Yaris.
The jail term was handed down in February but the most recent charges weren’t filed until March, Mr Power said.
“I ask Your Honour to take into account the timing of these matters.
Magistrate Jack Vandersteen said Kaya, otherwise due for release in mid-November, ought to be “out before Christmas”.
Mr Vandersteen noted Kaya’s early guilty plea and his lack of intention to injure the victim.
Kaya was jailed for seven months, concurrent with his pre-existing prison term. He will be released on 23 December.
