Sunshine Bay man sentenced for larceny charge

A Sunshine Bay man has avoided a term in prison after stealing a pork belly and liquor.

Bradley Carriage said he has been having nightmares every night in custody. Picture source: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=793481731918132&set=a.101803054419340

A man who pinched a pork belly and stole liquor from a supermarket while on a community corrections order has narrowly avoided full-time jail.

Bradley Carriage, 20, faced Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday via AVL on charges of larceny and shoplifting.

The act of stealing a pork belly and liquor from the Moruya IGA was described by Carriage as something he “could not stop”.

“I can’t help myself sometimes,” he said.

The court heard the new offences took place during a CCO, which was ordered due to previous driving matters including driving while suspended and driving recklessly/furiously.

Magistrate Doug Dick said it was clear the young man needed help.

“If these acts are something you can’t control, then we need to get you help so we can work on that issue,” he said.

Bradley Carriage appeared in Batemans Bay Local Court via video link. Picture: Tom McGann.

Noting the number of times Carriage had appeared in court, Magistrate Dick said these crimes needed to stop.

“The court can’t keep allowing you to keep committing offences without any repercussion,” he said.

Carriage, who had spent four days in custody due to breaching the CCO, said being in custody had been “hell”.

“I’m having nightmares every night,” he said.

Carriage’s lawyer Matilda Bogart said due to her client’s mental state, it would be best for him to serve time for the new charges in the community.

“This is his first time in full-time custody,” she said.

“He has told me he has been crying every 10 minutes.”

Mrs Bogart informed the court Carriage is willing to continue a community corrections order and seek professional help.

“He said he is willing to also complete community service.”

Magistrate Dick said he would punish Carriage with a jail term served in the community, changing to original CCO to an intensive corrections order served in the community, which will run from January 16, 2023 to July 15, 2023.

As part of the new ICO, Carriage must not commit any new offence, must submit to supervision by a community corrections officer and must take part in any treatment plans or programs specified in the order.

However, Magistrate Dick said this was Carriage’s last warning.

“I need you to understand that this is basically your last chance,” he said.

“If you commit any further offences, it’s not going to end as nice as this.

“You will end up in full-time custody, and it’s not a very nice place, is it?”.

“No, it’s not,” Carriage replied.