Thomas Hoare sentenced over campsite robbery, firearm theft

Holding down a job, staying drug-free and going to the gym are one thing, but a Geelong court has heard a young thief has a lot more to do to be rehabilitated.

Thomas Hoare outside Geelong court in 2023. He wore a light suit and had a short, neat haircut when sentenced on Friday.

Six months behind bars has scared a young thief into getting his life back on track, however he’s been given homework by a judge to stop him going “back off the rails”.

Thomas Hoare, 23, appeared in the County Court at Geelong on Friday, having earlier pleaded guilty to robbery, theft of a firearm and possessing a firearm as a prohibited person.

Hoare and a teenage co-accused robbed a man of his gun, cash and pocket knives in a remote campsite north of Meredith in late October 2023.

The Curlewis man spent 176 days in custody before he was granted bail, and was sentenced to time served plus a 15-month community corrections order (CCO), including 100 hours of unpaid community work.

Judge Gregory Lyon said prison would be a “backwards step” in Hoare’s rehabilitation, but warned that if he stepped out of line he would go right back.

“Let me be blunt; while I consider it is in the best interests of the community not to send you back to jail, I simply do not think you have done anywhere near enough,” he told Hoare.

Judge Lyon told the court the incident was a “very frightening and harrowing experience” for the victim, with an impact that was “long-lasting and severe”.

Hoare was on a CCO at the time of the offending and had a relevant prior criminal history.

The court heard drug use had been an issue for Hoare, who reported first using cannabis at age 16 and at one point consumed ice daily and dabbled with MDMA, GHB, LSD, ketamine and mushrooms.

The court heard the time Hoare spent on remand was a “circuit breaker”; he now worked full-time and was largely abstinent.

The court heard Hoare’s experience of imprisonment had a “lasting effect” on him, and he had curbed his behaviour because he didn’t want to go back.

The court heard Hoare had an incredibly supportive family, as well as a new partner.

Hoare had been previously diagnosed with an auditory processing disorder and the court heard a July 2024 neuropsychological report had identified other potential diagnoses that warranted further investigation, as well as a number of treatment recommendations.

Judge Lyon said it was “regrettable” the report had not yet been acted upon.

“I am just surprised that the matters so clearly identified by Dr Evans have not been looked into, let alone addressed,” he told the court.

Judge Lyon said while Hoare had taken some steps to put his life back on the right track, his prospects of rehabilitation were “far more complex” than just abstaining from drugs.

“You have a lot of work to do – going to the gym is one thing, having a nice girlfriend is another. What happens if you and (your girlfriend) break up?” Judge Lyon said.

“You’re back on the gear, and someone else suffers at your hands.”

Judge Lyon imposed a special condition as part of the CCO, involving a medical practitioner providing him with a report so he can monitor Hoare’s progress.

Originally published as Thomas Hoare sentenced over campsite robbery, firearm theft