By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
A SERIAL criminal offender knocked back a magistrate’s offer of a community corrections order, instead opting for a longer jail term.
Martin Lokeron, 23, had been facing several charges – including twice breaching an earlier community corrections order – in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court last Monday.
In a sentence indication, Magistrate Pauline Spencer said if Lokeron pleaded guilty she would sentence him to three months jail – including 41 days already served in remand – with a community corrections order including drug and alcohol treatment.
After a discussion with her client, defence lawyer Madeline Smith said Lokeron would prefer a period of incarceration – without the community corrections order.
Ms Spencer told Lokeron: “You understand I can sentence you as I see fit. You don’t want rehabilitation options?”
“Just correction options,” Lokeron replied.
Ms Spencer sentenced him to five months jail.
“My intention in thinking of a corrections order was getting the treatment for you that you need.
“When you come out, you’ll be clean but it would be best for you to go on your own accord to SEADS [South East Alcohol and Drug Service] or the Positive Living Centre.
“You’ll be at your strongest when you get out. Don’t give up. When you come out, start again.”
Lokeron pleaded guilty to charges arising from separate incidents including being drunk and disorderly in a public place, the theft of a $5 T-shirt from Dimmeys and sunglasses from Chemist Warehouse in Dandenong.
He was also involved in a group assault and robbery of a man at Coles in Dandenong, and threatened a Protective Services Officer at Dandenong railway station, saying: “I’ll get you one day”.
He then imitated a gun with his hand and said: “Bang! Bang!”
Ms Spencer had earlier said she would be prepared to overrule Community Corrections Victoria’s likely assessment that Lokeron was unsuitable for another community-based custodial sentence.
She said her focus would be on his on the basis of his young age and his troubled childhood as a Sudanese refugee.
Lokeron’s lawyer, Ms Smith, had told the court his offending was “in the context of serious drug addiction”, including ‘ice’, cannabis and alcohol use, and “negative peer associations”.
“At the height of his drug use … he was using cannabis on a daily basis and 1-2 grams of meth a week,” Ms Smith said.
She conceded that sentencing Lokeron to a third community correction order was cause for “some concern”.
“He appears after 41 days in custody to have turned a corner in terms of emotional maturity and his addiction. He feels much more healthy and he’s motivated.”
Prosecutor Carrie McMillan recommended a jail term for Lokeron.
“He’s had a community correction order, he’s had time in custody. The penny hasn’t dropped. There’s only one way to go – a term of imprisonment.”
