A man who is accused of stealing $18,000 of power tools from a Ballarat joinery business has been warned he will likely be sentenced to a term of imprisonment.
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Aaron James Sweeton, 43, appeared at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Friday to request a further deferral of sentence.
A police summary reveals Sweeton and a co-accused went to the premises of a Brown Hill joinery business about 11.30pm on December 28, 2020 to search through the factory.
Both returned about 4.50am on December 29 and removed a large amount of tools from the factory using a trolley.
They pushed the trolley to the front of the property where they were met by an unknown female and loaded the items into her car.
Sweeton got into the car with the woman and they drove off while the co-accused walked away.
I have already said in my judgement a sentence of imprisonment is appropriate.
- Magistrate Ron Saines
None of the items from the burglary were recovered.
Sweeton told police he was asked to give a mate a hand putting some tools into a car and gained access to the joinery property by jumping a locked gate.
He was charged with trespass with intent to steal, stealing $18,000 worth of power tools and dishonest retention of stolen goods.
Sweeton's defence lawyer asked the court on Friday for sentencing in the case to be deferred to allow time to address issues with the case.
He said the value of the theft charge for the co-accused had been reduced to $3000 and he wanted to find out why and if Sweeton's charge should also be amended.
The lawyer said he would also like time to obtain a psychologist report to provide to the court because Sweeton had an acquired brain injury.
Magistrate Ron Saines granted the extra time to the defence.
He said this was the third time he had adjourned the case after indicating a sentence of imprisonment would be imposed.
Mr Saines ordered Sweeton be assessed for a community corrections order during the deferral period, at the defence's request.
"I have already said in my judgement a sentence of imprisonment is appropriate," Mr Saines said.
"I will consider what is said on your behalf and make a determination in September.
"If you don't turn up to court or commit other offending, next time I sentence you, you will be in the dock."
Sweeton will remain on bail. He will return to court in September for sentencing.
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