Sexual abuse as a 10-year-old set-up a man who thieved jewellery from his former Albury landlord for a life of deep substance abuse, a court has heard.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Michael Anthony Hassarati began drinking alcohol at 13 as a way of coping with being abused, then later developed a "life-long" dependence on the tranquiliser alprazolam, used to treat anxiety.
Defence lawyer Mitchell Brooks told Albury Local Court on Wednesday that as a result of a concerted effort to kick his habit, Hassarati had begun experiencing seizures.
IN OTHER NEWS:
While he had made some progress, he continued to also suffer from alcoholism.
Magistrate Richard Funston said he initially thought full-time jail was the only possible sentence on the break, enter and steal charge.
"It seems like you're doing good work and I'm taking that into account, but you've still got a long way to go," he told the 45-year-old, from the outer western Sydney suburb of Greystanes.
Mr Funston jailed Hassarati for six months, but allowed him to serve the sentence in the community by way of an intensive corrections order.
"You're still facing a lot of complex issues, I have no doubt about that," he said.
"But the point is you have to seriously address your alcohol problem; if you don't you will be back before me."
Hassarati previously boarded in the victim's Roper Street home.
Eight weeks after moving out he broke in, on May 9, and stole the jewellery, valued at $15,000.
But Mr Brooks said this was a "sentimental" amount set by the victim, who had since agreed to a $3000 valuation that his client would cover.
Hassarati was drunk at the time and so had no memory of the burglary.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: @bordermail
- Follow us on Instagram @bordermail
- Follow us on Google News
