Man turns himself in 38 years later
A MAN who broke into and burgled a house almost 40 years ago has turned himself in to police to face court.
Christopher Joseph Palmer, 55, was on his way to Cairns this week and heard there was an outstanding warrant for him, relating to a break-and-enter he committed when he was 17 years old in Dalby in August 1974.
He turned himself in to police and pleaded guilty at Ipswich Magistrates Court yesterday to one count of entering a dwelling with intent by break.
Palmer stole a shotgun worth $200, some cartridges, some food from a freezer and two pillow slips during the break-in.
The court heard he was in company with two other people and they broke their way in by removing three louvres and slashing a security screen.
Palmer was located in northern New South Wales not long after the offence and was convicted of another burglary, but the court wasn't told why he wasn't dealt with for this one.
He has spent the past 20 years mostly out of trouble, until he turned himself in recently.
Defence lawyer Erin Beer said her client had was a transient but had a good work history, spending his time working as a petrol bowser operator and on a fishing trawler.
Ms Beer said considering he was dealt with for a similar offence in 1974, and if he were dealt with for this offence then, he most likely wouldn't have received a more severe sentence. Palmer was convicted and not further punished.
