A man has been sentenced to 21 months in prison after breaking into a military depot in Kununurra, Western Australia, and impersonating a high-ranking official. Reece Joshua Sturgeon, 42, gained unauthorized access to the North West Mobile Force (NORFORCE) depot at the end of February and remained on the premises for two days before being apprehended.
During his time at the depot, Sturgeon managed to move a vehicle, don a military uniform, and consume food and drink from the facilities, including a small quantity of rum. When approached by a member of the Australian Defence Force, he falsely identified himself as a field marshal on a “special mission.
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Sturgeon had accessed the depot by obtaining the key from a lock box, which he used to enter the administrative building. His criminal history, including a previous manslaughter conviction for running down a group of teenagers in Perth in 2006, contributed to his denial of bail following his arrest. He had been on bail at the time of this incident.
Appearing in Kununurra District Court, Sturgeon’s legal representation provided insight into his unusual behavior. His lawyer stated that Sturgeon had undertaken a “spiritual journey” from Broome to Kununurra with his pregnant dog and sought shelter in the military depot during a torrential downpour. The lawyer characterized Sturgeon as someone who has unconventional views and difficulties with authority, though he had not been formally diagnosed with any mental health conditions.
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The judge acknowledged the bizarre nature of the crime, noting the sophisticated method used by Sturgeon to enter the depot. He expressed that the community was the real victim in this case, highlighting the need for a deterrent against future offenses, especially regarding the security of military installations.
Sturgeon was sentenced for burglary and stealing a motor vehicle, with his sentence backdated to February 29. He will be eligible for parole in ten months.
