Roger James Kilby, 38, sent to jail after stealing battery from Bathurst business

Roger James Kilby, 38, of Boori Street, Peak Hill, appeared before Bathurst Local Court from jail to plead guilty to shoplifting.

Police documents before the court said Kilby went to a store on Durham Street in Bathurst at about 1.30pm on November 21, 2022 with two friends.

After browsing for a couple of minutes, Kilby took a $413 car battery charger from the shelf and hid it in his black-hooded jumper, according to the police documents.

Shortly after Kilby and his friends left the store, the victim in the matter rewatched his CCTV footage, which showed the theft.

Police went to the store at about noon on November 26 and spoke with the victim, who gave a statement and a copy of the footage.

Someone who had known Kilby for many years recognised him on the footage, according to the police documents.

Police contacted Wellington Correctional Centre to arrange an interview with Kilby (who had been taken into custody for an unrelated matter), but he declined.

Aboriginal Legal Service solicitor Felicia Chui told the court that Kilby's offending was "opportunistic" and that he had stolen the product to buy drugs.

Ms Chui said the matter did not warrant a full-time prison sentence, but Magistrate Brian van Zuylen disagreed after noting Kilby's 27-page criminal record.

Kilby was sentenced to six months' jail and will be eligible for release (on this matter) on September 11, 2023.

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