Why didn't he have to repay it all? It seems crime DOES pay?

I really have to get one of those "whimpy" excuse books. "The court was told Cliff had no prior theft or dishonesty offences". The only reason he has no previous convictions is most likely this is the first time he has been caught. This is another good reason to fingerprint the nation as another form of ID. Imagine how many unsolved crimes would be solved. Some workplaces and schools want to do it.

He's only at a loss and disappointed at how he got caught. Better luck next time since the courts only gave you a lollypop instead of punishing you.

Hey SJC, I assume by the way you comment on all the court cases that you have never made a mistake in your life? You must be the only one in the world, congratulations.

Back in my day as a child Anon (even though this bloke is no longer a child and has no excuse) if I did something like that my father would have belted the living daylights out of me then dragged me by my ear and made be apologise to the person I had done this to. And guess what? It does work because you don't reoffend. This touchy feely human rights garbage is beyond a joke. Since you also must read every court case yourself, you should have noticed every criminal in Ballarat if not the entire country is mentally ill, according to their defence barristers. What a load of rubbish.

You're right on, Anon, I have never done anything criminal in my life...your move! The reason is I was taught right from wrong and to do the honest, decent thing. I was also taught that I alone was responsible for my actions.

"Cliff was ordered to pay $4000 of the $5645". Hang on, he steals $7200 and only has to pay $4000. Did I miss something out of this equation?

wtf, you need to read things a little bit more clearly. "Cliff was ordered to pay $4000 of the $5645 by December 11, and the balance by February 2".

About time someone tried to pull sjc and MARK into line. sjc you have absolutely no idea about about the characteristics or personal circumstances of the offender. The most likely reason the offender does not have any prior convictions is because he has probably not committed any previous offences! Your suggestion of Australia-wide fingerprinting is laughable - why not computer chip everyone whilst we are at it?! As for you MARK, do you see any other purpose in sentencing other than punishment? Maybe your years of physical abuse as a child are a part explanation for your lack of foresight. Capital punishment does not work; maybe you should actually do some research into your claims first. As I say time and time again on these pages, punishment (especially through imprisonment) should not be the ultimate aim in sentencing. Again, on the description of the case here, other aims, such as rehabilitation and deterrence, should be the primary focus. All I can say is I am thankful that judicial appointments are made by the government - and not subject to appeasing people like sjc and MARK.

When you have been burgled three times come and see me Themis. Oh yes, not only did the police not even bother to charge the thief when I ambushed him on his fourth attempt the thief tried to sue me for hurt feelings when I gave him a verbal thrashing after the police told me it's too much paper work to just see the judge let him go anyway. And for pulling me and sjc in line, the only people that want to do that are the criminal community but since they are mostly gutless me and sjc have nothing to worry about because the majority of the law abiding community are quite happy to have me and sjc on a very loose reign because we have had enough of the crime explosion in Ballarat.