By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A FATHER of two who began “drowning” in alcoholism and thieving after losing his job last year has been jailed for two months.
The 29-year-old was recently arrested over warrants for theft of a television from a Dandenong boarding house, which he pawned for $60.
He was also on warrant over small heists from two Dandenong supermarkets, netting choc-chip biscuits, barbecued lamb ribs, soft drink and dog snacks.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Tanique McFarlane said on his arrest that the accused was unable to explain why he had a satellite navigation system on him, although he didn’t have a car.
He had also been charged with resisting arrest, drunk-and-disorderly and possession of cannabis after being found shirtless and sweaty by police along Princes Highway, Dandenong, in June.
He had also been arrested after being found with cannabis in Clayton Road, Clayton, in November.
At the time he was incoherent and making sexualised gestures and comments, and was taken to Monash Medical Centre for a mental health assessment.
Defence lawyer Effie Lagos told Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Monday 14 September that the man drank excessively after becoming unemployed last year.
A long-term relationship also collapsed last year as he relied on alcohol to “get him through”, Ms Lagos said.
The court was told he breached two community-based orders this year by failing to make any contact with corrections staff.
Corrections Victoria assessed he was unsuitable for another community order.
“He doesn’t really have a good explanation (for the breaches),” Ms Lagos said.
“He instructs that he was in such a dark place, he was just looking for the next lot of alcohol.”
She said her client, after spending 21 days in remand, didn’t “like the direction his life was going in”.
“He’s drowning.”
Magistrate Pauline Spencer said Wilson’s time in custody was a time for him to detox.
“Things are just getting worse and worse for yourself.
“You’ve been making a bit of a pig of yourself and that can’t go on.”
On his release from jail in October, the man is required to perform 100 hours of unpaid work as part of a varied corrections order.
He is also required to attend alcohol and drug treatment, judicial monitoring and a men’s behavioural change program.
Ms Spencer ordered him to pay $115 compensation for the stolen TV.
