A man who stole to protect his family has faced Bunbury Magistrates Court over a series of charges.
The man attended court on June 14 charged with seven counts of stealing, two of breaching a violence restraining order, damaging property, giving false details to police, and possessing drug paraphernalia.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Karl Rep told the court, on April 7, the man breached the violence restraining order when the 18-year-old victim called him after feeling harassed by two men outside of her home.
On April 18, the man returned to the victim’s house where the pair became involved in an altercation before he broke a window.
Having taken responsibility for the breaches and broken window, the man has cut off ties with the victim.
The court was also told the man had a “lengthy and serious” court history, including violent, trafficking-related, and dishonest actions.
He had also previously been given suspended terms of imprisonment, fines, community based orders, and disqualifications.
The defence said the man was forced to commit crimes to pay back debts and that his family was threatened by the people he owed money to.
The lawyer added, after his client had been released from a four-plus year prison sentence, the man had been hindered by substance abuse, negative influences in his life, emotional disturbances, and boredom.
The man had consumed alcohol, cannabis, and methamphetamine over a significant period of his life.
Following his release from prison, the man was being looked after by his mother.
Magistrate Evan Shackleton said drug use was central to the man’s behaviour.
He also noted people in those circles were likely to make threats.
Although taking the’s man guilty pleas and personal situation into account, Mr Shackleton warned him that further offences would result in jail time.
The man received a 12-month intensive supervision order and a $1000 fine.
The order requires him to undergo counselling and urinalysis testing.
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