Homeless man lit fire to keep warm
A 55-year-old homeless man, who lit a fire in a bin on Tuesday morning was trying to keep warm, Ballarat Magistrate’s Court has been told.
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At 5am in Ballarat on Tuesday, temperatures dropped to 5.3 degrees and the man, trying to find shelter near the Minerdome at Wendouree, had used paper and cardboard from a storage bin to light a fire to keep warm.
The police prosecutor said the fire had unexpectedly taken hold of the wall, causing about $500 damage. The man seeing the flames, returned and surrendered to police, saying he had not meant to cause damage.
The court heard the man had previously been living with his brother but had been homeless for about four months.
Magistrate Gregory Robinson did not record a conviction and placed the man on a 12-month good behaviour bond, telling him, “I hope you can improve your circumstances.”
Laptop thief gets second chance
A 19-year-old who stole a bag containing a laptop and other computer equipment from a commuter at Ballarat Railway Station at 7pm on 4 July 2018, was placed on a 12-month adjourned undertaking and warned not to come before court again. Ballarat Magistrate’s Court was told Luke Thomas was homeless, was escaping violence and had stolen to buy food.
“He was at a very low ebb when he did this,” defence lawyer Mr Tyler said.
“I do understand that you were vulnerable but that does not give you the right to take other people’s property; you could see he was a commuter and probably needed this for his work,” Magistrate Robinson said.