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Taking A Conveyance Without Consent of Owner

BALI 9 MEMBER ARRESTED FOLLOWING ALLEGED OFFENCE OF TAKING A CONVEYANCE WITHOUT CONSENT OF OWNER

Bali 9 member Matthew Norman has been charged and arrested by NSW Police following his return to Australia, having been charged in 2005 for allegedly committing the offence of taking a conveyance without consent of owner. The arrest relates to allegations that prior to departing Australia for Bali, Mr Norman was the passenger in a car stolen by his fellow Bali 9 counterpart Renae Lawrence from Gosford at approximately 4am on March 26, 2005.

NSW Police allege that Mr Norman and Ms Lawrence stole a white Ford Laser hatchback and drove for 45 minutes, during which time they avoided two attempts of Highway Patrol officers to use road spikes, before a third attempt brought them to a stop. They attempted to flee on foot and were arrested not long after.

Mr Norman had initially faced court in 2005, having been charged with the offence of taking a conveyance without consent of owner, although was granted bail at the time and while on bail departed Australia for his infamous trip to Indonesia, where he ultimately served 19 years imprisonment for trying to smuggle 334g of heroin out of Indonesia.

Having learnt upon his return to Australia that NSW Police had not forgotten about the alleged taking a conveyance without consent of owner offence, Mr Norman handed himself in to Waverley Police Station. He was refused bail by NSW Police although he faced court hours later and was released by Magistrate Stephen Barlow. He will return to court on 25 February 2025.

RENEE LAWRENCE CONVICTED

NSW Police didn’t have a short memory when Mr Norman’s co-accused Renee Lawrence returned to Australia in 2018 either. She was convicted in Newcastle Local Court of 5 charges related to the car theft and received a 12-month community corrections order and a $1000 fine.

Prominent and award-winning criminal lawyer Steven Mercael, of Criminal Lawyers Group, stated that “Whilst it’s expected that NSW Police won’t simply forget about an alleged offence, I would have been very surprised if the court had taken a hard stance and sentenced Ms Lawrence to a term of imprisonment.”

If you or someone you know have been charged with the offence of taking a conveyance without consent of owner, contact our expert criminal lawyers at Criminal Lawyers Group immediately.

EXPERTS DIVIDED OVER NSW POLICE ACTIONS

In light of Mr Norman’s arrest, Criminal psychologist Dr Tim Watson-Munro argued that the current actions of the NSW Police are “a bit rich” as Mr Norman has been “punished enough”. He did concede that NSW Police are just following the letter of the law and stated that if there was a finding of guilt, he hoped he would be discharged.

Former homicide detective Charlie Bezzina shared a differing view, arguing that there existed a responsibility to arrest Norman over the alleged car theft and that he would be critical of NSW Police if they didn’t act.

WHAT IS A CONVEYANCE?

Section 154 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) defines a conveyance as any cart, wagon, cab, carriage, motor car, caravan, trailer, motor lorry, tractor, earth moving equipment, omnibus, motor or other bicycle, tank or other military vehicle, or any ship, or vessel, used or intended for navigation.

WHAT IS THE OFFENCE OF TAKING A CONVEYANCE WITHOUT CONSENT OF OWNER?

The offence of taking a conveyance without consent of owner is contained in Section 154 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), in which it is stated that any person, without having the consent of the owner or person in lawful possession of a conveyance, takes and drives it, or takes it for the purpose of driving it, or secreting it, or obtaining a reward for its restoration or pretended restoration, or for any other fraudulent purpose, or knowing that any conveyance has been taken without such consent, drives it or allows himself or herself to be carried in or on it, shall be deemed to be guilty of larceny.

WHAT IS THE PUNISHMENT FOR THE OFFENCE OF TAKING A CONVEYANCE WITHOUT CONSENT OF OWNER?

The offence of taking a conveyance without consent of owner carries a maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment.

CONTACT CRIMINAL LAWYERS GROUP NOW

Our specialised criminal lawyers have a proven track record in securing the best results for clients charged with the offence of taking a conveyance without consent of owner, including Not Guilty verdicts, the Withdrawal of Charges and the avoidance of prison sentences.

If you or a family or friend have been accused or charged with the offence of taking a conveyance without consent of owner, contact us immediately for a free consultation with our expert criminal lawyers.

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