Man acquitted of 1986 bombing now jailed for break-ins
Rodney Minogue, cleared of the Russell Street bombing 40 years ago, is now jailed for breaking into a neighbour's home twice to steal.
Rodney Minogue, 60, of South Albury, pleaded guilty to two counts of breaking and entering with intent to steal. Minogue previously spent three years in jail before being acquitted of involvement in the Russell Street bombing in Melbourne.
The victim noticed small things disturbed in her home over two weeks: a perfume bottle, a missing $50 note, a dishcloth moved. The victim installed a motion-activated kitchen camera and caught Minogue on footage at 12.27pm on August 28, rummaging through her handbag.
Minogue told police he had developed a $100-a-day heroin addiction after his wife's death 10 months earlier, which burned through his savings. He entered through the kitchen window using a metal ruler to manipulate the latch.
On his first break-in he stole $50 and a gold ring, on his second another ring; he sold both to his drug dealer. He was sentenced on September 29 to 21 months jail, with a 12-month non-parole period starting September 10, 2026.
- Rodney Minogue, 60, South Albury
- Age and location
- $100-a-day heroin addiction
- Daily addiction cost
Why it mattersThe case shows how past acquittals do not shield people from future convictions, and how addiction can drive crime even among those with no prior record.
AustraliaAlbury region crime; local court case involving drug-driven theft and neighbour safety.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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