A young drug user will spend the next decades in jail if he continues to commit serious offences, a magistrate has warned.
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Cody Renouf, 23, was sentenced for attempted burglary, possessing weapons, trespass, criminal damage and going equipped to steal at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Friday.
He is also facing other charges relating to offences allegedly committed while he was on bail and serving a deferred sentence.
Magistrate Ron Saines said although the burglaries he is sentenced for were not successful, evidence of his intent, premeditation and planning was clear.
"The court will not tolerate premeditated dishonesty and interference with other people's property and their rights just because you are a young kid with a drug problem," he said.
"You have been given opportunities in the past which you have trashed."
The court heard Renouf attempted to burgle a Brown Hill home in December 2019, using a jemmy bar and gloves in an unsuccessful attempt to enter the garage.
In January 2020 he was intercepted while driving and found in the possession of a knife and stolen personal cards.
The court will not tolerate premeditated dishonesty and interference with other people's property and their rights just because you are a young kid with a drug problem.
- Magistrate Ron Saines
In February 2020 he committed the offences of criminal damage, trespass, possessing a weapon and going equipped to steal while on bail.
He was found with a knife, beanie, gloves and a mask after a resident woke to the sounds of someone trying to break into their home.
Mr Saines said the offending was aggravated because Renouf continued criminality after he was released on bail.
"There is no doubt your return to drug use is a significant feature of your return to crime," he said.
"There must be a strong emphasis on punishment and a message of deterrence.
"If you continue to elect to commit serious criminal offences of this nature you will spend the next 10 to 20 years in jail."
In his sentencing remarks, Mr Saines said Renouf was still at law treated as a relatively young offender which meant he needed to be provided rehabilitation and an opportunity to change.
Renouf was sentenced to four months imprisonment. He has already served 82 days pre-sentence detention.
Mr Saines granted Renouf bail on the fresh charges, so he will be released on bail after completing his sentence.
Renouf is facing serious allegations of the theft of firearms during a burglary, but is likely to contest the matter.
Mr Saines said he granted Renouf bail on those matters because his pre-sentence detention could exceed an appropriate sentence, with a likely long delay in the case.
He will return to court in March for a contest mention.
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