Bitten burglar pleads guilty

Terrence Tex Bryan, 26, pleaded guilty in Summary Court on Wednesday to a burglary on 14 February in which the female complainant broke a tooth when she bit the hand of the intruder. 

Blood from the bite wound was found on the floor of the woman’s home, Crown Counsel Laura Manson said, and DNA from the blood led police to Bryan. 

Defence attorney John Furniss asked Chief Magistrate Nova Hall for an adjournment until next Tuesday because Bryan wanted to apply for entrance to the Drug Rehabilitation Court. On that basis, Mr. Furniss further asked for conditional bail in the meantime.  

The magistrate said she was concerned that this was a burglary at night of a residence and the complainant was in the premises at the time. 

Ms Manson clarified that not only was the woman on the premises, but she was awakened by the burglar and was scared. He put his hand over her mouth and she bit him so hard one of her upper teeth broke. She then had to run next door for assistance and was subsequently treated at George town Hospital. 

Burglary is a charge for which there is not a presumed right to bail, she indicated. In this case, the Crown feared that, if admitted to bail, Bryan would commit further offences to feed his drug addiction.  

Ms Manson also pointed out that the burglary was aggravated by Bryan’s possession of a knife at the time. He was originally charged with aggravated burglary because of the weapon. 

He pleaded guilty to burglary with the specifics being that he entered as a trespasser with intent to steal. This plea was accepted on the basis that the knife was used to cut a screen and open a window, Ms Manson said.  

“The DNA evidence is rather compelling,” she added. 

Mr. Furniss advised he was withdrawing his application for bail at this time. What was appropriate was to get Bryan assessed for entry to the drug court, and whether treatment would be on an in-patient or out-patient basis, he said. 

Bryan was remanded in custody and the matter was adjourned until 12 March.