WAGGA LOCAL COURT
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PEOPLE who believe their criminal behaviour can be forgiven because they were drunk at the time have been sent a message by Wagga Local Court.
Apprentice shopfitter Jake Cassimatis was fined $1100 after being convicted of stealing a carton of soft drink from the Wagga Croquet Club in the early hours of August 3.
He pleaded guilty to stealing property in a dwelling house.
Two other charges - break, enter and steal and entering a dwelling with intent to steal - were withdrawn by police.
Police facts tendered to the court said the 20-year-old Lake Albert man pushed open a closed but unlocked door at the club's Fitzhardinge Street rooms.
Inside, he took a carton of soft drink and threw several croquet mallets across the floor.
Cassimatis's solicitor Angus Harowell told the court his client had been to a party and was intoxicated when he stole the drinks.
He said Cassimatis had no criminal record, had apologised to the croquet club for his actions and had replaced the soft drinks.
Mr Harrowell said the theft was at the lower end of the scale of objective seriousness, but at the same time it was an offence and that had been explained to Cassimatis.
Ms Greenwood declined to dismiss the charge under Section 10 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act, which would have spared Cassimatis a conviction.
"Intoxication is not an excuse, it is never an excuse," Ms Greenwood said.
She said the type of behaviour demonstrated by Cassimatis was all too prevalent in Wagga.
"I need to send a message of general deterrence to the community, particularly young men who believe anything they do when drunk is forgiven," Ms Greenwood said.