By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A DROUIN man who pleaded guilty to a petrol drive-off, drug offences and stealing two window frames has been put on a two-year good-behaviour bond.
Timothy Gatt, 39, had stolen $142 of premium unleaded during the drive-off from a Cranbourne servo last year, Dandenong Magistrates’ Court was told on 9 May.
He also admitted to stealing the window frames from a building site in the Hunt Club estate, Cranbourne East.
Last year, police seized pills, a glass pipe, cannabis and deal bags of white powder – believed to be illicit substances – from Gatt’s car as he changed a tyre on Princes Highway, Dandenong, the court was told.
Two deal bags of ice were also found in his car’s cup holder during a police intercept in Knoxfield in November.
Gatt was said to have lived “quite a normal life” until a recent serious motorbike crash, the court heard.
As a result, Gatt suffered a brain injury. He has since been afflicted by anxiety and depression as well as impulsivity and a lack of regulation over his emotions, his lawyer said.
Gatt’s offending was clearly caused by his subsequent drug use – which was a form of self-medication, the lawyer said.
He had received psychiatric treatment from Associate Professor Warrick Brewer for his drug use in 2013 until his funding ran out.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Dani Lord said the community would expect a higher sentence than a good-behaviour bond.
A community corrections order (CCO) would offer more focused treatment as well as offender behaviour programs, Sen Const Lord said.
She noted the previous psychiatric treatment had failed to resolve Gatt’s issues.
Gatt’s lawyer said a CCO would be too punitive.
Gatt was instead able to resume treatment with Assoc Prof Brewer, funded by a substantial payout as a result of being a victim of an assault.
Magistrate Carolene Gwynn noted that it was important for Gatt to address his drug issues due to the associated offending and its impact on the community.
Ms Gwynn said Assoc Prof Brewer’s report demonstrated Gatt was “out of the usual category of offending”.
She convicted Gatt and “with some trepidation” sentenced him to a two-year adjourned undertaking under the direction of Assoc Prof Brewer.
Because of Gatt’s previous convictions and serious offending, Ms Gwynn ordered Gatt to provide police with a DNA sample.
