Drug habit snares paroled man

By Shannon Tonkin
Updated November 5 2012 - 11:49pm, first published February 2 2011 - 10:37am

A Mt Warrigal man's drug habit and his lengthy criminal history landed him an 18-month jail sentence yesterday.Matthew James Foreman, 28, squandered the chance to start afresh after his release from prison last year when he decided to break into Windang Bowling Club last September while on parole.Foreman's plan to steal cash from a note dispenser failed, however his resolve to find money to fuel his drug habit did not. Wollongong Local Court heard Foreman targeted the bowling club again the following month, this time successfully stealing $1480 from a partially opened poker machine. A day later Foreman stole a mountain bike and surfboard from a Warilla property.Foreman yesterday pleaded guilty to the offences, as well as an earlier break and enter at Port Kembla Leagues Club in February 2010. Foreman's Legal Aid solicitor Elizabeth Parkes said her client had started on a methadone program while in prison awaiting the court outcome and had plans to live a drug-free life once released."He acknowledges he needs help for his drug problem," Ms Parkes said. While supportive of Foreman's attitude, Magistrate Michael Stoddart said the man's record "speaks for itself"."You'd received a 12-month prison sentence for break and enter and were on parole when you committed two more break and enters," Mr Stoddart said. "What you do affects other people's lives."Mr Stoddart sentenced Foreman to 12 months jail on three break and enter charges. A six-month prison term was imposed for pawning the surfboard and stealing from the poker machine. Foreman will be eligible for release on July 11, 2012.

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