An Albion Park truckie is facing up to 14 years' behind bars after forcing his way into a Blackbutt home and attacking a young man he believed had stolen from him.
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Documents tendered to Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday said Dean Alan McGaw contacted police on January 13 this year to report the theft of three motorcycles from his home in Beveridge Street.
The officers were told a neighbour's CCTV cameras had captured the culprits wheeling the bikes away. When they spoke to McGaw, he said he'd been contacted by friends on social media who had given him the name of a suspect.
Police carried out further investigations later that day but were unable to locate the missing bikes.
When they returned to McGaw's house to give him an update, he said friends had provided him with the names of two further suspects.
The officers warned McGaw against taking matters into his own hands, saying they would investigate the matter and he should pass on any information.
However, McGaw and a mate attended the home of one of the suspects later that afternoon, telling the young man's father "look mate, my bikes have gone missing, we just need these bikes back. If we don't get them back, people are going to be punished."
The father said he knew nothing about the incident.
McGaw left a short time later but returned to the home just before 10pm and confronted the father and his three sons.
The father attempted to placate McGaw, telling him "look mate I've got nothing to hide".
He let McGaw inside the house and showed him through the home and into the backyard and garage.
However, McGaw rejecting the family's repeated denials about having knowledge of the missing bikes.
"This is bullshit, someone is going to get pumped over this," McGaw said as he became increasingly agitated, before leaving the property a short time later.
However, McGaw returned to the home for a third time 24 hours later, this time accompanied by two men.
The trio barged into the house and confronted the youngest of the three boys.
"I have you on camera footage, I can see your face," McGaw said before he and the other two men dragged the boy to the ground and began kicking and punching him.
One of the boy's older brothers tried to intervene but was hit with a metal pole.
The three intruders shouted a warning to the family to return the motorbikes before leaving the property.
The matter was subsequently reported to police and McGaw was arrested five days later.
McGaw pleaded guilty to three charges during a court appearance on Wednesday, of which the most serious - aggravated enter dwelling with intent - carries up to 14 years behind bars.
The 33-year-old, who remains on bail, will return to court in November, when a date will be set for his sentencing.
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