Blacktown: Julius Madar sentenced for larceny, stealing and possession of a knife

A Sydney teenager who joined a “gang” and went on a crime “bender” shortly after his 18th birthday has faced court for his actions and narrowly avoided a jail sentence.

Julius Madar leaving Blacktown Local Court.

A Sydney teenager who joined a “gang” and went on a crime “bender” shortly after he turned 18 has been sentenced in court.

Julius Madar, 18, fronted Blacktown Local Court on Thursday where the court heard details of his crime spree – starting on May 11 when he stole a scooter.

The court was told Madar had told the owner he was “taking it for a test drive”, but drove away and did not return.

The scooter was recovered from his house later on.

This was followed by Madar being caught by police with a 70cm long knife, with a 45cm long blade, while at Blacktown train station on June 6.

Madar said he had the knife on him as “protection”, as he had previously been stabbed.

Four days later on June 10, Madar was captured on CCTV stealing a $100 jumper from a 16-year-old boy.

The court was told Madar was with several other people at the time of the offence and had approached the teenager and asked what size it was.

He then told the teenager he was “taking” the jumper, and the boy handed it over.

Lawyer David Phillippe told the court his client’s offending was indicative of him going “down a rabbit hole and a dark path”.

He said his client’s decision to have the knife on him was a mix of negative influences, unstable mental health and drug use.

Julius Madar leaving Blacktown Local Court.

Madar had found himself with “anti-social peers” at the time, which Magistrate Deborah Maher described as a “gang”.

Mr Phillipe said his clients remorse was demonstrated in a letter of apology and that his life took a “downward turn” when he found himself feeling mentally unstable.

He had been diagnosed with anxiety, PTSD and depression and was now medicated.

Ms Maher said Madar, who had no prior criminal history, had essentially gone on a “bender” with his actions.

“He’s gone from nothing to ridiculous in three months,” she said.

“You weren’t just dabbling (in crime), Mr Madar, you jumped in.”

Madar pleaded guilty to larceny, stealing and possession of a knife in a public place.

He was given a conditional release order of six months, a 15 month community corrections order and ordered to pay $100 compensation to the teenager he stole the jumper from.

Ms Maher then warned Madar if he continued to associate with negative people and commit crimes, the next time he came back before the court he would be sent to jail.