A judge has asked a young offender if he's willing to put on his "big boy pants" and address his drug and mental health problems following a serious home invasion in Wodonga.
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Jessie Ford-McRorie will soon be released from custody after smashing his way into a McEwan Crescent home on May 1 last year while high on drugs.
Those inside the property hid in fear and took their pets with them, amid concern they would be attacked.
The 20-year-old, who yesterday appeared in court for the second time this week, had only just been released from police custody when he went to the home.
Judge Carolene Gwynn said those inside gave every indication to Ford-McRorie that he wasn't welcome, but he didn't stop.
She told the heavily tattooed man he had "very real difficulties in regulating your own behaviour, controlling your emotions, and complying with and respecting court orders".
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He had himself been the victim of a home invasion when he was eight which left him traumatised.
His mother was strangled in his family home as he hid in a cupboard with his sister during the incident.
Judge Gwynn said it was a shame that incident wasn't in the front of his mind when he committed the offence.
"Is he prepared to put on his big boy pants and do the treatment he needs to address his mental health and his drug use?" she asked.
The 20-year-old said he was.
Judge Gwynn warned he needed to do so, "or you will simply find yourself entrenched in the criminal justice system".
Ford-McRorie has served nearly a year in jail, and the judge said he should be released as soon as possible, with time served, on a corrections order.
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