A BENDIGO burglar who was deemed unsuitable for a corrections order has been given a final chance to get his life back on track.
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Zac William-Joe Waite, 25, appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court on Monday where he was sentenced to seven months in jail, with 209 days of pre-sentence detention reckoned as already served.
Magistrate Trieu Huynh also varied the corrections order Waite breached, with the order to recommence and last 18 months upon his release from custody.
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Mr Huynh said Waite had a "bad history" of complying with corrections orders, but he would give him an opportunity to complete the drug and mental health treatment.
"You won't get many chances in the future," the magistrate said. "While I'm guarded about your rehabilitation prospects, I have some hope... you might be able to complete a corrections order this time."
The 25-year-old last month pleaded guilty to charges including burglary and handling stolen goods after a series of offences in March and April this year.
The court heard Waite acted as a look-out when 30-year-old Jamie Leigh Page broke into cars and a property in Jackass Flat on March 8.
The court heard then on April 6, Waite and a co-accused broke into an Ascot property.
A bystander saw Waite filling a bag with stolen items and confronted him. Waite fled the property but the man chased him on foot.
Waite threw the bag to the side as he threatened to stab the man who was chasing him.
The court heard the bystander pursued the 25-year-old until police arrived and arrested him.
Defence lawyer Ellie Hayes-Childs last month told the court Waite was close to obtaining a spot in a residential rehabilitation facility.
But Ms Hayes-Childs on Monday said that proposition had fallen through as a result of a COVID-19 outbreak at the facility.
The defence lawyer said while Corrections Victoria had deemed Waite unsuitable for an order, it would still be within range for sentencing.
Mr Huynh said he took into account Waite's "persistent" drug addiction and history of abuse and mental health conditions.
The magistrate said those personal circumstances, along with the prison restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, would make time in jail more onerous for Waite.
Mr Huynh said he would give Waite a further opportunity at a corrections order, but with a judicial monitoring condition so he could ensure Waite stayed on track during the "critical" release period.
The magistrate said if Waite did not plead guilty, he would have been jailed for 12 months with a non-parole period of six-months.
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