Magistrate Philip Stewart has told a Parkes man that the only appropriate sentence for him was one of imprisonment after he failed to comply with the conditions of his Community Correction Order.
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Stephen Anthony Turner Ragg (25) of Clarinda Street, Parkes, was before Parkes Local Court on Monday, November 22, charged with breaching his bond.
Ragg was placed on a Community Correction Order (with conviction) for 12 months and ordered to complete 100 hours of community service work on May 9, 2019, for the offence of having goods in personal custody suspected of being stolen.
According to a report tendered in court Ragg was in breach of his Community Correction Order after being convicted of two offences including possess prohibited drug and custody of knife in public place.
The report stated Ragg had completed only two hours of his 100 hours of community service work, failed to follow directions per the work instruction, and failed to make contact and provide Community Corrections with appropriate evidence regarding his eight absences.
Representing Ragg, solicitor Su Hely told the court her client was trying very hard to maintain his distance from the drug subculture that he had fallen into.
"If what Mr Ragg tells me is true he has finally turned the corner and is trying to rehabilitate himself and get back into the workforce," Ms Hely said.
Magistrate Stewart said that Ragg was simply non-compliant.
"Mr Ragg runs his own race and does not make any attempt at all to comply with the orders of the court," His Honour said.
"I revoke the Community Correction Order, the only appropriate sentence is one of imprisonment which will be five months from today."
Magistrate Stewart said that he proposed Ragg carry out the sentence by way of an Intensive Corrections Order for a period of five months with electronic monitoring for the duration.
"You are to abstain from drug use entirely," he told Ragg.
"You are to attend drug rehabilitation and drug counselling as directed by Community Corrections.
"If you fail to comply with their direction you can expect a warrant to be issued and you will be taken into custody.
"Is that clear?"
Magistrate Stewart ordered Ragg to undergo random drug urinalysis.
