A TANZANIAN born Bordertown man who broke into several cars on two separate days has been given a second chance by the court after spending over a month in custody.
Emabure Sabimana, 19, appeared in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court to be sentenced for interfering with a motor vehicle and stealing property on several occasions.
The prosecution said Sabimana broke into a number of cars on an evening in October last year and stole property from some of the vehicles.
Sabimana was under the influence of drugs and was looking for money to fund his habit.
A few months later the defendant committed similar offending when he broke into two more cars on January 29.
He was subsequently arrested and remanded in custody from January 31 until March 20.
Sabimana was then released on home detention bail, which he had complied with for the duration of time leading up to sentencing on Tuesday.
Police said several victims were seeking a total of $1108.50 for the stolen property from the vehicles.
Magistrate Teresa Anderson told the defendant after committing so many offences against so many different people, it was unlikely he would be trusted in the town anymore.
“You have brought shame on your family by doing this,” Magistrate Anderson said.
The defendant’s lawyer said her client understood the gravity of the offending and was contrite and remorseful.
“Time spent in custody was a significant deterrent for him,” the defendant’s lawyer said.
“His rehabilitation is best served in the community.”
Sabimana was sentenced to nine months and two weeks imprisonment, which was suspended on him entering into a $300, two year good behaviour bond.
He will also be required to be supervised for 18 months of the bond.
Magistrate Anderson also ordered the defendant to pay compensation and disqualified his driver’s licence for two years.
