A WOMAN jailed for shoplifting has been told to “deal” with her issues or expect to be incarcerated again.
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Sarah Wallace, 29, an inmate at Wellington Correctional Centre, appeared via audio visual linkup before magistrate Michael Allen in Bathurst Local Court on Monday.
Her solicitor, Denny Cifuentis, from the Aboriginal Legal Service told the court said there had been no outcome for a rehabilitation program for his client at the moment, and he had been instructed to proceed to sentence.
Mr Cifuentis said his client had been in custody since July 25 after being caught shoplifting from a local store.
While the items she stole didn’t represent a significant amount in terms of monetary value Mr Cifuentis said his client’s record didn’t serve her well.
He said his client, a mother of three, had used drugs from a young age. She had also suffered significant trauma as a young person.
He said she had been sober since being taken into custody in July.
Mr Cifuentis said Wallace stole from the store to support her drug habit, and said she was willing to undergo rehabilitation, and was aware it fell on her shoulders to deal with her issues.
Mr Allen read the facts sheets and drug and alcohol assessment, and told Wallace she needed “to deal with her situation.”
He said if she didn’t get help she would continue to commit criminal offences and end up in custody again.
“This [situation] will only continue to repeat itself,” he said.
“It’s a recurring a nightmare for you, your kids your family, and you have got to deal with it.”
“If you feel sitting there you can’t deal with it there are people who will help you every step of the way,” he said.
In sentencing Mr Allen noted Wallace had a chaotic childhood and had a real need for targeted long term support.
On the shoplifting charge Mr Allen sentenced Wallace to eight months jail with a non parole period of three months, commencing July 25, 2016 on the fail to appear, Wallace was sentenced one month jail to commence on July 25, 2016.