Squatter lived free for 18 months

A SQUATTER who moved his kids and animals into a sick man's Goonellabah house, living rent-free for 18 months without the owner's consent, is alleged to have caused thousands of dollars in damages.

The elderly home owner and his daughter were shocked to return from Sydney to the Norwood Avenue home after his long absence to find Kraig Jeffrey Young, 32, along with his two kids, two kittens and a dog, had taken up residence.

In documents before Lismore Local Court, the owner's Ford LTD was missing, as was household gear including a television, microwave, clothes, sheets, towels and blankets, DVD player, telephone, electric frying pan, plates and dishes. Even his fishing rods and tackle.

Cat faeces and urine were on the floors and out on the lawn was the owner's timber dining table ruined by the weather.

Young, who still lives at Goonellabah in Bruxner Crescent, strongly denied the owner's allegations, but pleaded guilty to three charges: Destroying and damaging property - a garage/bedroom wall; trespass; and taking the Ford LTD without the owner's consent.

Magistrate Jeff Linden said the home owner was alleging Young moved into his immaculate house 'unlawfully, arrogantly, and the home left a mess'.

He said it was a matter where the victim would have to pursue any damages claims through the Civil Court.

Defence lawyer Rachael Thomas said her client was not charged with other offences and the damage repair quotes before the court were for 'thousands of dollars' and included a new kitchen and carpets.

A house cleaning quote was for $1177.

She said Young only made admissions to the 'wear and tear' of the carpet and not to any damage except 'a crack' in the garage/bedroom wall.

Ms Thomas said her client claimed to have been invited into the house by a woman, named in police facts as 'Cynthia', who told him she the owner's niece.

The woman moved out, with Young staying on.

However, the distressed home owner told police he did not have a niece, nor did he know a woman named Cynthia.

Ms Thomas said Young admitted moving the owner's Ford LTD on a trailer to a friend's home so he could put his own car in the garage, and had damaged the garage/ bedroom wall when he 'failed to properly apply the brakes' of a car he was fixing.

Police stated the home owner locked up his home in August 2007, set the alarm and went to Sydney for medical treatment, but stayed on when his health worsened.

He was confronted by the mess and damage when he arrived home on January 2.

Mr Linden convicted Young on the three charges, placing him on a two-year good behaviour bond with a fine of $400.