Denied: Wodonga man's leniency appeal bid fails

Matthew Joseph Butler, 33, had been sentenced to 18 months in jail with a minimum of six months after committing a string of offences in Wodonga earlier this year while using large amounts of ice.

Despite not having a job, Butler had an ice habit of about $200 a day when he committed crimes in April, May and August.

He has prior convictions in Victoria, NSW and South Australia for dishonesty offences, drugs, bail offences and breaches of court orders.

He was coming off a three day drug bender when he used a fake $100 note to buy milk, two drinks and a packet of cigarettes at the Federation Store in Barton Drive on April 14.

He made a full confession to police and was bailed, but committed further offences while waiting for a court hearing.

Butler stole $1500 worth of tools, jewellery and electronic items from a home in Trudewind Road overnight on April 29 and sold stolen items to Cash Converters on May 4.

He broke into Wodonga Racecourse on May 18 and stole $4130 worth of property including soft drink and a commercial coffee machine.

He was found driving a car with a suspended licence on Chapple Street on May 20 and a small knife was found in the vehicle.

Butler failed to appear in court about a week later and police believe he fled the area to avoid detection.

After eventually being caught while trying to flee police on the Bandiana Link Road on August 10, he was sentenced to 18 months jail with a six month minimum.

Butler asked Judge Marilyn Harbison to reduce the sentence in the Wodonga County Court on Monday to work on fishing trawlers with less restriction. 

The judge confirmed the original sentence and noted he had a “pretty significant history” of crime including several stints in jail. 

“18 months is not an excessive sentence,” she said. 

“It’s an appropriate sentence.” 

He has already served 83 days in jail.