Broome resort burglar jailed for seven months in case deemed ‘unusual’ by magistrate

An oceanic explorer who ran away from a family gathering to steal belongings from a popular Broome resort has been jailed for seven months, a sentence deemed “unusual” by a magistrate who put the man’s impulsive actions down to a tragic brain injury he suffered fifteen years ago. Brian Ocean Charles Ward appeared in Broome Magistrates Court via video link from Acacia Prison on Monday September 20, where he was sentenced to seven months imprisonment for breaking into the Cable Beach Club Resort and stealing guests’ belongings. The court heard on May 23 this year, Ward broke into the resort by smashing a window, and stole a kids bicycle and several bags of guests’ personal belongings, with no intention to keep any of his takings. At the time the offence was committed, Ward was already on bail for a charge of grievous bodily harm and was due to appear in Broome Magistrates Court the very next morning to face the outcome of the charge. The court heard on that same night, Ward’s family held a gathering to be with him on the eve of his potential imprisonment, but Ward inexplicably ran away. Magistrate Sharratt told the court Ward had a lived a life very different to most of the offenders brought in on similar charges. Throughout his life, Ward had a successful career in maritime services and spent many years travelling the world working on boats which sailed around the world. Magistrate Stephen Sharratt told the court Ward had worked as a pearl diver for seven years, for some of the major companies including Paspaley, Kailis and Arrow, and had adventurous tales to tell including being “chased by pirates.” But Ward’s freedom came to an end during an incident in Fremantle in 2006, when he was randomly attacked and suffered an injury to the frontal lobe of his brain, the part responsible for executive function, moral decision making and control over one’s responses. Ward was placed in an induced coma and almost died as a result of the attack, which Magistrate Sharratt said he had “never fully recovered from.” “It is tragic what happened, his life changed forever and he is not to blame for his injury,” he said. Magistrate Sharratt also told the court Ward received round the clock care from his mother, who had been a “tireless advocate” for her son to get good treatment and also took care of Ward’s sick father. The court was told Ward was quick to lose his temper and had alienated himself from psychologists, while also unable to explain his reasoning for running away to commit the offence. Ward had a criminal history, with a previous burglary offence committed in February of 2011 and was said to have been the subject of bullying in prison, experiencing some “very tough days” in lock up. Approaching the parole date for the unrelated charge on November 14, Magistrate Sharratt said he did not intend to make things worse for Ward and would allow an “unusual” penalty to reflect his cognitive impairment. “He suffers from a serious psychiatric illness and his illness must have a bearing on the sentence imposed,” he said. Magistrate Sharratt handed down a period of seven months imprisonment backdated to May 24, and granted Ward eligible for parole. In handing down the sentencing, Magistrate Sharratt said the decision was one he usually does not do, but also served the needs of public protection.