A VICTORIAN County Court judge told a man he had suffered enough and would be released from prison following the death of his mother, who had collapsed in the witness box earlier in the case and was unable to be revived.
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Eppalock man Jarrod Frank, 43, had already served 382 days in custody on charges of aggravated burglary, assault, and attempted theft. He had earlier entered pleas of guilty and will be released on a nine-month community correction order.
Judge Gerard Mullaly said Frank had enjoyed a strong relationship with his mother and felt her loss deeply.
"It is a gut-wrenchingly dreadful experience you have endured,'' he said.
"Nobody would think that our system of justice would be indifferent to those circumstances."
His mother had been in court to support him in July last year when she collapsed. Mr Mullaly said the community would likely think Frank had suffered enough.
The charges before the court stemmed from an incident at Longlea on the morning of January 30, 2020.
The court heard Frank broke into the home of an old associate and demanded drugs and money and punched the victim. He also produced a kitchen knife.
When the victim could not find his wallet, the pair sat at opposite ends of the kitchen table.
When police arrived Frank was still sitting at the table.
Frank received drug counselling in custody and will undergo further treatment.
Mr Mullaly said Frank suffered terribly as a result of his offending.
"You blame yourself. You will need help to manage these psychological burdens,'' he said.
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