Reform chances ’ bleak’

A MAGISTRATE has called a man who committed three car thefts, a burglary and an attempted burglary a “walking crime wave”.

Hector Wallace, 21, was on a suspended sentence for similar offending when he targeted Townsville homes and cars earlier this year.

He pleaded guilty in Townsville Magistrates Court yesterday to eight charges, including obstructing police, failing to dispose of a syringe and receiving stolen property.

Wallace stole cars on February 23, April 9 and April 20.

He burgled a man’s home between May 26 and 29 and tried to enter another house on May 29.

Wallace also breached a community service order and, on May 31, obstructed police.

Prosecutor Codie Rowe said because of the “serious nature” of the offences, Wallace should face a sentence of 15 to 18 months.

He had already spent 184 days in jail.

Defence solicitor Zoe Navarro said Wallace had a difficult upbringing and his parents had been in and out of custody.

She said Wallace had a problem with alcohol and was essentially homeless at the time of offending.

Ms Navarro said that at 17, Wallace was sentenced to two years’ jail and he had spent most of his adult life in and out of prison.

Magistrate Ross Mack said the prospect of Wallace being rehabilitated was “bleak”.

“It’s a terrible thing to say for a 21- year- old, ” he said.

Mr Mack sentenced Wallace to 18 months in jail and activated his nine- month suspended sentence.

He will be released on parole on Tuesday.