Man paints bad picture
A BUDDING artist, who says he hates his offending, has appeared before the Geelong Magistrates Court after breaching bail twice since being released from prison.
Whittington man Ricky Wilson, 27, fronted court on Tuesday by way of video link from the Metropolitan Remand Centre, pleading guilty to indictable offences spanning February and March.
Wilson – who was accused of possessing and using stolen credit cards, theft from a motor vehicle, possessing methamphetamines and resisting arrest – said he feared he would let his family down if he was placed on a lengthy community corrections order.
He was also charged with being in possession of a weapon – a 15cm knife – as well as illegally obtaining stolen goods and cash from victims.
In a report presented to the court, Wilson said he stole items in exchange for drugs.
The prosecution called his
offending serious, having continued to offend while on two separate counts of bail.
Defence lawyer Stephanie Mawby said her client was a talented painter who had previously lacked the support to re-enter society.
“He has never had a job and unfortunately has spent the majority of his life in custody,” Ms Mawby said
“He is not a young man without hope ... he is a very, very talented young man.
“He told me he wasn’t ready for the real world when he was released in December last year, but he instructs me he is now ready, if all the support is available to him.”
She said her client, who suffered a range of mental health issues, limited cognitive abilities and drug dependency, had no professional help in place on his release from prison.
Magistrate Simon Guthrie said he would be “very uncomfortable” sentencing Wilson without an element of supervision in place.
“Unless he is prepared to engage in a community corrections order, it means he is going to spend more time where he is because at this stage he is a risk,” Mr Guthrie said.
“It would involve mental health elements, drugs obviously, judicial monitoring and I don’t seek to impose community work, although it is tempting. Rehabilitation should be and is the appropriate situation.
“For goodness sake, you seem to be a talented artist, with some cultural awareness, it might well be that’s where you should be engaging.”
The case was adjourned to June 9, pending community corrections assessment.