Rare vinyl collection in house thought abandoned in Orelia has student in a spin

A RARE collection of vinyl sitting in what was thought to be an abandoned house proved too tempting for a media student.

Ryan Paul Ackerman pleaded guilty to one charge each of burglary and commit offence in dwelling and stealing.

The prosecutor said Ackerman attended an Orelia home somewhere between October 19 and25 and jumped a side fence, entering the backyard of the home and gained entry through an unlocked glass sliding door.

He said a large collection of 70 records was on a shelf and Ackerman took the lot.

Later he took them to Junctions Records in Fremantle where he tried to sell them.

The owner recognised the records as being the property of one of his regular customers.

Police were called and he was arrested.

The value of the record collection was $2000.

He told police he enjoyed looking through abandoned houses and he wanted to make some money.

The duty lawyer said the facts were accepted.

She said he had a genuine belief the property was abandoned and that the records were unwanted and had been left behind.

She said he wasn’t thinking clearly at the time and made a bad choice, and he didn’t think they were worth as much as they were.

She said the 25-year-old is currently studying a diploma in screen and media.

“The offence is out of character. He has written two letters of apology for his actions; one for the victim and one for the court,” she said.

“There also are character references from his mother and he is a person of good character.

“He has really taken this matter to heart and didn’t expect this to happen. He does not have a record.”

She asked for a spent conviction.

Magistrate Vivian Edwards said she believed his remorse.

“You pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and in the circumstances you believed it was an abandoned house,” she said.

“Fortunately the store recognised the records and they were returned safely to their owner.

“I accept that you are significantly remorseful and you entered early pleas.

“Also I accept it was totally out of character and I am satisfied you won’t do it again. Spent conviction granted.”

He received a global fine of $1200 and an order to return the property.