A Sebastopol man who stole a wallet and watch from his dead neighbour, to then sell the watch and use the man’s credit card has not fronted court for an appeal hearing.
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Johannes “Joe” Cabo did not appear in the County Court at Ballarat on Wednesday to appeal a four month jail sentence imposed in May.
Defence lawyer Adrian Paull told the court he had been unable to contact his client over the past few days.
Judge John Smallwood then struck out the appeal.
Cabo pleaded guilty at the Ballarat Magistrates Court on May 10 to 11 offences, including nine counts of dishonestly obtaining property.
The court was told Cabo found his best friend and neighbour, who The Courier has chosen not to name, dead in his house in Sebastopol’s Victoria Street on October 1, 2017.
The 62-year-old telephoned for an ambulance and while waiting for it to arrive, stole the dead man’s wallet and $350 watch.
Between October 2 and 4 Cabo and co-accused Tannon Lloyd, 33, allegedly used the man’s credit card to dishonestly buy items.
Cabo used the credit card to buy fuel, take away food and groceries worth about $400, while he sold the watch for $100 at Cash Converters.
When sentencing Cabo, magistrate Gregory Robinson described his behaviour as despicable, immoral, heartless and vile.
“It’s despicable conduct for you to steal from a dead person; that’s what you turned your mind to while waiting for an ambulance,” Mr Robinson told Cabo.
“It shows what a sick and criminal mind you have. I am confident in saying that, given my pursual of your prior convictions.
“It really shows how heartless a person you are. You are a person who hasn’t contributed to the community. You’re not only dishonest but have had a significant impact on people through sexual offending.”
Defence barrister Cameron Baker said at the May plea hearing his client stole the wallet and watch because he owed a debt.
He said Cabo, who doesn’t have any toes on one foot, was self-medicating with heroin at the time of the offending due to complications of diabetes.
A warrant will be issued for Cabo’s arrest.
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