Homeless robber forked out $800 fortnight at Bethlehem House

A Hobart judge has revealed the surprising costs of seeking refuge at a local homeless shelter.

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A HOMELESS man who held up a Claremont bottle shop at knifepoint was paying $800 a fortnight to stay at Bethlehem House, a judge has revealed.

The Warwick Street men’s shelter, according to one its annual reports, charges residents 70 per cent of their total income for “wraparound” care including 24-hour staff, three meals a day plus snacks and hot drinks, all-day laundry and shower facilities, clothing and transport assistance.

The homeless man, Cameron Scott Clark, waited for months for public housing before securing an apartment, the Supreme Court of Tasmania heard this week.

It came after he held up the Big Bargain Bottle Shop during May 2017 while clad in a balaclava and brandishing a long kitchen knife.

Clark repeated “I need the money” several times to the store clerk in a firm voice, telling her to put the money in a green plastic sales bag while urging her to hurry up.

He said “I’m sorry I have to do this” before fleeing with $1565 in notes.

Justice Stephen Estcourt said the store clerk needed months off work, suffered flashbacks and nightmares, and has since changed jobs.

Bethlehem House in North Hobart, upgrade of the emergency accommodation for homeless men

But the judge also noted Clark’s traumatic upbringing and his addiction issues, and the fact he’d realised returning to his grandmother’s home was a “poor choice”.

“In December 2019, he approached Bethlehem House, a centre for homeless men. This was difficult for him as he had never stayed in a shelter before,” Justice Estcourt said.

“He is in receipt of a Disability Support Pension from Centrelink. At that time he was receiving approximately $980 a fortnight, and was required to pay approximately $800 per fortnight to Bethlehem House. Although costly for him, it was an important decision not to return to his grandmother’s address.”

A government spokesperson confirmed the costs were correct – and consistent with other full-service supported accommodation providers.

Justice Estcourt said Clark had participated in the Salvation Army Bridge rehabilitation and after-care program, and had paid back nearly all the money he stole.

“It would to my mind be cruel and unjust to send the defendant to prison at this point of his recovery,” he said.

“This is a momentous turning point in this man’s life. He has made a huge turnaround in his life. If he fails to continue to do so he will be going to jail for a lengthy period.”

Clark, who pleaded guilty to armed robbery, was given a suspended jail term of two years and six months.

However, he must also perform 240 hours of unpaid community service as part of a Community Correction Order.

The Bethlehem House annual report said its payment model worked well “for men in crisis dealing with drug, alcohol and gambling addiction issues”, with free accommodation for the first 14 days annually, those with no financial means, or until a person’s first income payment.

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