‘Extreme leniency’ for burglar

Press, 16 February 1980, Page 4

‘Extreme leniency’ for burglar

A man with numerous convictions for a wide variety, of offences committed over many years '„.was given “extreme leniency” by Mr Justice Casey in the Supreme Court yesterday when he imposed a community-based sentence as recommended by a probation officer. Ronald Anthony Dick, aged 35, unemployed, who was found guilty by a jury last week on a charge of burglary of the Diamond

Harbour store on May 18, was sentenced to nine months periodic detention. Evidence was given at the trial that the front door of the store was forced and goods, valued at $lOOO, were stacked on the floor. The burglary was discovered by a bread vendor who notified the owner of the shop. The police found Dick and another man in a car nearby, and a footprint with the same imprint of the footwear Dick was wearing was found on the floor of the shop. Mr M. J. Glue, for Dick, handed his Honour lengthy submissions which had been written by the prisoner in a plea for leniency. Mr Glue said that Dick was a man of intellectual ability who had a bad start in life, but at last had gained an insight into his problems. Since the offence he had remained sober and had formed a beneficial relationship with his de facto wife who was in an advanced stage of pregnancy to him. The offence was committed in the company of another man and counsel was mystified as to why that man had never been charged as he had taken a more prominent part in the crime. It was some three vears since Dick had committed an offence of dishonesty. He was ' learning a trade by which he could

earn an honest living. Mr Glue asked his Honour to adopt the probation, officer’s recommendation of I periodic detention. His Honour said he supposed that with Dick’s experience- with the courts, sentencing, and his oppressive list of convictions over the last 12 years, he would realise what to expect for this offence. He had considered imposing a year’s imprisonment but Dick had a very sympathetic probation report and he appeared to be making an effort to settle down. Over recent months he had formed a stable relationship with the woman he hoped to marry. His Honour said that he accepted that the burglary was the result of Dick’s indulgence in liquor as had happened with so much of his- offending in the past. The probation officer had said Dick was taking a realistic view of his problem with alcohol and he recommended a community-based sentence. “Looking at your list of convictions and the circumstances of this burglary you don’t deserve that opportunity but I will give you a last chance and sentence you to nine months periodic detention. You are being treated with extreme leniency which will not be repeated if you come before the Court lagain,” his Honour said.