A HORSHAM man who pleaded guilty to theft, burglary and weapons charges will serve five months in jail.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Joshua Bowen, 25, appeared at Horsham Magistrates' Court on Friday via videolink from prison. Bowen had been in custody for 99 days.
He had previously entered a guilty plea to seven charges including theft, burglary and possessing a knife.
The charges related to a series of four separate events which occurred between November 2018 and January 2019.
Magistrate Mark Stratmann said the incidents occurred at four locations in Horsham. They were Anytime Fitness, EB Games, Horsham RSL and an unlocked car.
The court heard Bowen took items from Anytime Fitness Horsham. It also heard that he took items from a wallet located in an unlocked car. This included a gift card which he later tried to use at EB Games Horsham.
Horsham police prosecutor Sergeant Matt Haughton told the Mail-Times Bowen entered the Horsham RSL on December 3 and appeared to be affected by a substance.
"Staff asked Bowen to leave the premises and he became abusive. Staff then saw that he had a kitchen knife and called police," Sergeant Haughton said.
Bowen was interviewed and charged.
The court heard Bowen had been assessed for a community corrections order but was deemed unfit.
Defence lawyer Rita Sparham said her client returned the items he admitted taking from Anytime Fitness.
"He took the items back and (that) shows he tried to make amends," she said.
Ms Sparham said her client would have stable accommodation and a job if he was released.
Mr Stratmann said Bowen's offending was "serious" and said a custodial sentence was the only option. He said Bowen was assessed as a high risk of offending. which made him ineligible for a CCO.
"The incident at Anytime Fitness on November 21, 2018 was opportunistic behaviour and might not have been premeditated. On January 8, you entered an unlocked vehicle and only took certain items," Mr Stratmann said.
"This offending is serious and undermines the faith the community has and gives them concern of not being safe. This is especially significant in country areas."
Bowen was sentenced to a total of five months imprisonment, with 99 days already served.
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox twice weekly from the Wimmera Mail-Times. To make sure you're up-to-date with all the news from across the Wimmera, sign up below.