By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A MOTHER has tearfully told a court there’s no help for her ice-addicted son, who was freed after shoplifting more than $1000 of spray paint on a trolley from a hardware store in Dandenong North, a court has heard.
On 11 October, James Kinnane, 20, pleaded guilty to the theft in which he tried to wheel his loot out through the Dandenong North Bunnings store’s timber section, on 17 September, about 3.20pm.
When challenged by a staff member, Kinnane tried to use a false receipt to justify the spray cans worth $1103.40.
Police at the scene observed Kinnane had no money on his person and appeared drug affected, police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Renee Bloomfield told the court.
Kinnane told police at the time he’d smoked some “weed” and perhaps ingested “mushrooms”.
The accused’s drug use started with cannabis as a 14 year old, his lawyer told the court.
As an adult, he started going into the city and was introduced to amphetamines and ice, his lawyer said.
Kinnane had been admitted to hospital, been on a community treatment order and diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, the court heard.
His community treatment order with Peninsula Health ceased in February, the lawyer said.
“He was on anti-depressive medication and went off that over time. It seems the counselling stopped after that.”
Magistrate Julie O’Donnell declined to place Kinnane on a treatment-based corrections order because it would set him up to fail.
“I have an issue with treatment orders. If there’s a breach it’s jail.”
Ms O’Donnell said Kinnane’s 24 days in remand custody was adequate time served, taking into account his youthfulness and that it was his first time in incarceration.
In releasing Kinnane, Ms O’Donnell told the accused’s mother: “Ma’am, your son needs medical attention.”
The mother replied from the gallery: “We’ve been through this for years. There isn’t any help.”
“I’m sorry,” Ms O’Donnell said. “That’s out of my powers.”
