Last week in Orange Local Court the magistrate, Bruce Williams, said it was not appropriate to go into the details of a tragic incident that occurred when Fernando was a teenager, but it was surely the catalyst for his heroin addiction and the string of crimes fueled by his drug dependence.

Imposing a suspended jail sentence for the theft of the charity box, Mr Williams told the accused he had carried out a despicable and low act.

“People put money into those boxes on the basis it is going to help some unfortunate person,” he said.

Mr Williams said it was a shame the public could not see the facts that were placed before him about Fernando’s history.

“I have the utmost confidence that without that experience in life you would not be here,” he said.

Mr Williams said he was prepared to give Fernando another chance, considering he had entered into the Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment (MERIT) program and was trying to shake off his addiction to heroin.

“But you have to get yourself out of this spiral,” Mr Williams told the accused.

“But if you don’t, any sympathy I have for you will dissipate and next time you will be sent to prison.”

Mr Williams handed down suspended sentences for shoplifting and larceny of seven and eight months respectively, as well as imposing good behaviour bonds.

The magistrate said he was convinced Fernando was doing enough to address his drug problems, however, he questioned a system where treatment involved substituting one drug for another.

“In another country, in the systems they use, you would be cured,” he said.