Geraldton man gets four years jail for terrifying home burglary, assault on partner

A man who committed a “terrifying” home burglary and assault against his partner has been jailed for more than four years. Shaun Samuel Capewell last week appeared in Geraldton District Court where he pleaded guilty to 10 offences, including burglary, stealing, unlawful damage, obstructing a police officer and being armed in a way likely to cause fear. He also went before Magistrate Angus Hockton on charges of common assault, which related to the same incidents. The court was told Capewell in April last year broke down the door to a Spalding property to confront his 22-year-old partner, whom he suspected was cheating on him. Judge David MacLean said Capewell then “undertook a reckless destruction of property” — including a mirror, television and kitchen window — in an attempt to “intimidate and terrify” his partner. “Your conduct was designed not only to intimidate your former partner, but to hurt her and to destroy things of value to her,” he told Capewell. Capewell also stole the woman’s phone during the incident. About one month after the incident, Capewell again confronted his partner in her home, assaulting the women and another man who was at the property. Capewell took a knife from the kitchen and threatened to “cut” the victims, who were able to flee from the house. Judge MacLean said the man then stole his partner’s car, before crashing it “almost immediately”. “You weren’t satisfied or content with that destruction, but you returned to smash the windscreen of a Holden motor car that was parked there, and the smashing of the windscreen of that Holden motor car seems to demonstrate some particular animosity that you have towards property that is owned or associated with (Capewell’s partner),” he told the accused. “She doesn’t exist to have her property smashed by you.” Psychological reports presented to court suggested methamphetamine abuse and intoxication played a role in Capewell’s “aggressive” behaviour and the man was at risk of reoffending if he did not address his drug use. Judge MacLean sentenced Capewell to four years and eight months jail, telling the man his future was “in your hands”. “If you want to spend the bulk of your life in custody, you will reacquaint yourself with illicit drug use,” he said. “If you are sincere about leading a productive and lawful life, which you do have the capacity to lead, you will abstain and stay away from methamphetamine and cannabis, and stay away from people that do take those substances.” Capewell was sentenced to 12 months jail for his Magistrates Court matters, but this term will run at the same time as his District Court sentence. He will be eligible for parole after serving half his term.