Man narrowly avoids jail sentence
A MAN has narrowly avoided jail after being found in possession of a large quantity of stolen goods while on probation.
Matthew Wayne Green appeared in Warwick Magistrates Court this week, where he pleaded guilty to possessing tainted property.
Welders, 100L of fuel, a cut-off saw, air compressor, lawn mower, hedge trimmer, jerry cans and other items were stolen from a Killarney property sometime between April 3 and April 9.
Police uncovered a number of those items in Green's garage and on the balcony of his house on April 20.
The 30-year-old told police he was given the items by the "principal offender", who the court heard had not been caught.
Green was on probation at the time, however the court heard he had failed to engage in counselling and report, as required.
Defence counsel for the man told the court his client had a problem with drugs.
Magistrate Graham Lee sentenced Green to three months jail, suspended for 12 months.
He also fined Green $400 and urged him to take advantage of the benefits of probation. "I am quite disturbed by the fact you have not engaged with the probation order before now," he said.
