Thomas ordered to pay compensation

After spending two weeks at the Mental Hospital undergoing observation, Shawn Thomas was deemed mentally fit to return to the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday.{{more}}

Thomas, a labourer of Arnos Vale, was ordered to pay compensation of $500 for stealing a quantity of clothing from his father on January 17 at Arnos Vale.

Chief Magistrate Sonya Young gave Thomas one month in which to pay the fine or he would go prison for two months.

When Thomas first appeared before the Chief Magistrate, he pleaded guilty to the charge. He was charged with stealing a pair of short jeans pants, a pair of Timberland boots, one baseball cap and a jersey of an estimated total value of $500.

The court heard that Thomas’ father secured his house on January 17 at about 6pm and went to church. On his return about 8:30pm he noticed that his house had been broken into and items were missing.

Thomas told the Magistrate that he only went to the house because he was hungry. He said while there, he saw the clothes and wanted to look good for the women in town.

Thomas’ father had addressed the court revealing that his son was a regular user of cocaine and alcohol and that his son had abused him on several occasions.(KW)