Croquet mallet wielding burglar remanded after entering guilty plea

The man accused of threatening Geraldton Croquet Club members with a croquet mallet after they caught him stealing has now pleaded guilty in court this week. Nathaniel James Harris was caught by club members on November 11 hiding in the locker room toilet after stealing cash, three lotto tickets and a mobile phone from bags. When confronted, police say he became aggressive, shoving past members and brandishing a croquet mallet above his head shouting, “I’m going to hurt someone”. He was arrested later the same day and charged with aggravated burglary, being armed in a way that may cause fear and two counts of stealing. At the time, prosecuting Sgt Tanja Wentzel called the incident “deeply disturbing”. “It’s a very serious burglary,” she said. “He’s intruded on a private premises and threatened members of the public.” Harris was given bail to live with his sister in Rangeway on a 24-hour curfew but was picked up after committing a home burglary a month later on December 15. The court was told a woman hid in the bedroom of a Utakarra home as he stole items valued at $1250. That month, the 40-year-old was denied bail and has remained in custody at Greenough Regional Prison since that date. He reappeared in Geraldton Magistrate’s Court yesterday where he pleaded guilty to the two burglaries and associated stealing charges but was not required to enter pleas on six separate fraud charges. Police requested all charges be sent to the District Court for sentencing due to their seriousness. Harris’ lawyer, Karen Ward, said he was ready to face the music for his offending, but requested a psychological report to see how his past trauma and drug use may have influenced his actions. He was committed to the District Court, to reappear on March 5.