Entrusted handyman jailed over “atrocious” Berkeley thievery

Aaron James Scott Simons pinched a fridge, a television, a pedestal fan, an electric mower – $6500 worth of goods in all – in the seven days he held a key to the Holborn Street home.

The 81-year-old woman’s daughter employed Simons – a family friend - to carry out repairs and maintenance at the home after her mother, suffering dementia, moved into a retirement home. 

The family paid him $3500 up front and handed him the key on January 16. 

When the woman’s daughter returned to inspect the work on January 22, a long list of items were missing, including a DVD player, a portable clothes line, a kettle, four canvas prints, two heaters and a pair of binoculars. 

Asked about the missing items, Simons told the woman’s daughter they must have been stolen by someone. 

But the woman later spoke to neighbours who said they had seen Simons moving the items. 

After contacting police, she searched online for her mother’s belongings, and found some of them listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace. 

The listing led police to Simons’ Hill Top home, where several of the missing items remained. Some had already been sold. 

Simons, 25, later pleaded guilty to charges of stealing property and dealing with proceeds of crime. 

On Wednesday Wollongong Local Court heard Simons’ own fridge was broken when he justified his decision to begin stealing from the woman. 

His lawyer, Stewart Holt, told the court that Simons’ business, On the Clock 24hr Handyman Services, was underperforming and he was suffering relationship troubles at the time. 

“He instructs me he feels very bad about what he did,” Mr Holt said. “He does acknowledge he’s done the wrong thing and he’s learned his lesson.” 

Magistrate Michael Stoddart condemned Simons’ “atrocious behaviour”.  

“You were paid $3500 cash up front to carry out the work – also given a key to the premises!” he said. 

“And then you go and steal all these things. 

“In my view this sort of stealing from … a person who has been entrusted with the key, has had money up front, is nothing short of disgraceful and you ought to be ashamed of yourself.” 

Simons was convicted of stealing and sentenced to six months imprisonment, to be released on September 6. 

He was placed on a two-year good behaviour bond for dealing in proceeds of crime. 

His lawyer immediately lodged an appeal. He is expected to apply for bail in Wollongong Local Court on Thursday.