A BUNBURY man who stole two children's charity tins last month has faced court today but was released without a fine on a good behaviour bond.
The court heard that Jason Wayne Walker, 43, entered Centrepoint Shopping Centre at 9am on June 21 and stole a charity tin from Centrepoint News while staff were distracted.
Staff member Jess Davis told the Bunbury Mail last month that Walker had asked for a lottery ticket and then rummaged through his bag while he was being served.
Not long after he left they noticed their donation tin for Princess Margaret Hospital was gone.
Security cameras showed the man had cut the chain around the tin while employee’s backs were turned and threw his jacket over it before leaving the store.
The court heard that Walker proceeded to a nearby toilet and emptied the tin's contents - totalling $108 - into his bag before spending some of the money on breakfast.
Sometime between 10.15am and 11am on the same day Walker returned, this time targeting a Give Me 5 for Kids Foundation tin placed by Bunbury's RadioWest on the Boost Juice counter.
While staff were distracted he stole the second tin, containing $20, and was captured again on CCTV.
Walker's defence lawyer said Walker and his mother returned stolen money to the Radio West office in response to media attention.
He then turned himself into police.
The defence lawyer said Walker was remorseful, had been undergoing rehabilitation for a drug habit and attended a number of support services including a men's group.
In passing down judgement Magistrate Kelvin Fisher told Walker that prosecution had not painted him in a good light.
"But for your credit you've made an effort to turn yourself around," Magistrate Fisher said.
