Wollongong Man Escapes Jail Time for Intrusive Home Break-Ins
A Wollongong man has narrowly avoided serving time behind bars after committing two separate home invasions while in the midst of a heroin relapse. The incidents, described by the presiding magistrate as "an invasion of privacy", involved the theft of sentimental jewellery valued at approximately $3000.
Details of the Intrusive Offences
Robert George Ponfield, aged 55, pleaded guilty in Wollongong Local Court on January 27 to multiple charges including two counts of break and enter. The court heard how Ponfield first targeted a residence in East Corrimal during early October last year.
To gain entry, he smashed a bedroom window and removed a fly screen before ransacking the property. Among the stolen items were bracelets, brooches, earrings, and precious stones including diamonds and emeralds. Particularly poignant was the theft of a heart-shaped necklace engraved with the word "mum".
Police investigation revealed a fingerprint on an interior window that forensically linked Ponfield to the crime. Further enquiries led officers to a Wollongong pawn shop where Ponfield had sold five rings and a necklace for $500 on October 2.
Second Invasion While Homeowner Was Overseas
Around the same period, Ponfield broke into a Fairy Meadow residence on October 3 while the homeowner was vacationing overseas. He again gained access by smashing a bedroom window, leaving glass fragments scattered across the lawn.
Blood evidence was discovered on the window sill, internal blinds, and the victim's bed. Although the home had been thoroughly disturbed, the returning homeowner later determined that no items had been taken from this particular property.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing Outcome
During sentencing proceedings, Magistrate Gabriel Fleming emphasised the profound impact of such crimes on victims. "They leave their home thinking their things are safe. They come home to find their window smashed, all their private, personal things gone through. It's appalling," Magistrate Fleming stated.
Defence lawyer Ashley Bird explained to the court that her client had experienced a "patchy" recollection of events due to relapsing into heroin and prescription drug use after maintaining twenty years of sobriety. The court noted that Ponfield had remained crime-free between 2004 and 2024 prior to these incidents.
"It's senseless, things really went awry for everybody," Ms Bird told the court regarding her client's actions.
Rather than imposing custodial imprisonment, Magistrate Fleming sentenced Ponfield to an 18-month intensive correction order, which represents a community-based imprisonment alternative. The conditions of this order include:
- Completion of 100 hours of unpaid community service work
- A $750 fine
- $500 compensation payment to the affected pawn shop
Some of the stolen jewellery has been successfully returned to the original victim. The sentence reflects consideration of Ponfield's extended period of previous law-abiding behaviour alongside the serious nature of his recent offences.
