By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
IT IS therapy and heightened anxiety for Diana and a “slap on the wrist” for one of the youths responsible for her ongoing paranoia.
The south-east suburbs mum, who wishes to remain anonymous, has “no words” for what her life has become after ‘Apex style’ offenders stole her two family cars on Sunday 5 July last year.
Thieves broke into Diana’s residence at the time, in Narre Warren North, between 12.30am and 3am, through a locked front door – while her family and two young children were asleep.
Diana’s handbag which held two iPads and car keys to her white Subaru Liberty GT Premium and her partner’s Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo were pinched.
The Subaru had sentimental personalised number plates, PIPPYD. Which were gifted to her from her grandfather, who passed eight years ago and haven’t been recovered a year on.
Police tracked down the Subaru five days after the aggravated burglary and Diana’s partner’s car was also found two days later – badly “banged up”.
The family now reside in a different suburb, but Diana says that despite the move her life remains plagued by the break-in.
“The aftermath is terrible. I have to deal with anxiety, something I never had before,” she said.
“I now need to see a therapist, I don’t like driving at night and try not to at all expense; I’m also out of pocket, and they simply got a slap on the wrist. I have no words.”
“I needed to see a counsellor as I was very emotional, and she passed me onto a therapist. I’m not generally like this, but now I have a fear at night.
“I can’t have the blinds open when it’s night time because I feel like people can see me and know what I’m doing, but I can’t see them.”
In May this year, Diana received a letter explaining how one of the perpetrators caught for aggravated burglary had had their case heard at a children’s court.
“The letter said the court had found the offender guilty and sentenced them to a youth supervision order of 12 months without conviction,” Diana said.
“If anything it should be on their record.
“I was told it was a group and only one was found. It is scary and disheartening to know that they have been found guilty – which is a great result – but without conviction at all, means they will never have to answer to it again.”
Diana’s beloved Subaru was found at a property in Dandenong, off Kirkham Road.
“I believe police raided a property, and five cars were found, one of them was mine and one of them was a gold Mercedes,” Diana said.
“These offenders are a part of a wider network who are still committing these crimes and they get to walk away with no conviction. But we are the ones that have to deal with the psychological and financial strain.
“We are walking away a lot worse off and it’s upsetting.”
Anyone who sees suspicious behaviour in their street is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
