A man who broke into buildings on two rural properties and stole thousands of dollars worth of goods has escaped a jail term, largely because he helped police and pleaded guilty to his crimes.
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In sentencing 24-year-old Maryborough man Clint Chandler, County Court Judge Paul Lacava said he was satisfied all necessary sentencing principles could be achieved through a community corrections order.
Chandler pleaded guilty earlier this week to two counts of burglary, two counts of theft and one count of theft of a firearm in relation to crimes he carried out on properties at Moonlight Flat and Alma, near Maryborough, in April this year.
The items he stole were valued about $3000.
Chandler was caught after advertising stolen goods for sale on Facebook.
Judge Lacava said Chandler's pleas, his co-operation with police, his relative youth, his lack of relevant prior convictions and his background led to his decision.
"I regard your pleas of guilty as evidence of genuine remorse," Judge Lacava said.
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However, he noted Chandler's crimes were to some extent organised.
Chandler will serve a two-year community corrections with 150 hours of unpaid community work, and programs and treatments to address drug and alcohol abuse, his mental health, and offending behaviour.
If not for Chandler's guilty pleas, Judge Lacava said, he would have been imprisoned for two years, with a non-parole period of 15 months.
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