Kain Bennell: 18-year-old accused of breaking into Orana home and terrifying 92-year-old victim

An Albany teenager has been accused of breaking into the home of a 92-year-old Orana man who allegedly awoke to find him rummaging through his bedroom. Kain Brendon Bennell, 18, appeared in custody in Albany Magistrates Court on October 25, facing one charge of aggravated home burglary with intent. The father of one made a successful application for bail despite strong opposition from the prosecution. Police prosecutor Sgt Matt Hartfield told the court a person matching Mr Bennell’s description was captured on CCTV climbing into the Orana home in the early hours of October 24. Police say Mr Bennell unlocked an awning-style window and used a shovel to climb into the window about 5.55am. They say he rummaged around the home before walking past the sleeping victim, who woke up and shouted “who are you?”. The accused is said to have fled the scene, and the elderly victim alerted his family, who then notified the police. Mr Bennell was arrested an hour later, 15m from the scene of the crime. Mr Bennell’s defence lawyer Raymond Muir applied for bail on the grounds Mr Bennell was a young father of a two-month-old and had recently been transient. Mr Muir argued Mr Bennell did not have a significant record as an adult and would live with his father outside of the Great Southern. Magistrate Erin O’Donnell said she was satisfied with Mr Bennell’s exceptional circumstances for bail by a “very small margin”, taking into account his age, his lack of a record as an adult, and that he had a two-month-old son. Mr Bennell was released on bail with a $500 personal undertaking and a $500 surety. Ms O’Donnell said as charges of aggravated home burglary were often dealt with by way of imprisonment, the matter would have to proceed to the District Court. Mr Bennell is expected to appear in Albany Magistrates Court on November 16.