A man who fled the state 18 years ago has avoided what could have been a jail sentence when he turned himself in to Orange police and showed how he turned his life around.
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Simon Anthony Matthew Borton, 45, of Lone Pine Avenue, was addicted to heroin and was facing charges of possession of suspected stolen property, shoplifting, break enter and steal and larceny when he left NSW in 2002.
He was jailed for similar offences in the past.
Solicitor Gerry Stapleton said Borton moved to Queensland and managed to rehabilitate himself off heroin and turned his life around before he returned to Orange and handed himself in to police.
"He knew he had some warrants out and he went to Orange Police Station, he got bail the following day, he's been reporting to police daily," Mr Stapleton said
Magistrate David Day said a lot had changed for Borton since 2002 and if he remains drug free, particularly free from heroin, he would be of low risk of re-offending.
One offence was possession of a bag of suspected stolen lollies.
He was carrying the lollies when police stopped him on his way home, half an hour after he was released from custody at Orange Police Station, in June 2002.
He had no money or lollies with him when he was released from custody.
Mr Day convicted him without further penalty for possession of the lollies and he gave him a 12-month community correction order and 50 hours of community service for failing to appear in court on July 9, 2002.
He also gave him a 12-month CCO for stealing two pairs of track pants.
A warrant was issued for Borton in September 2002. His other offences included stealing a fitted sheet worth $69.75 from the Sheridan Factory Outlet, for which he was given a two-year CCO and 50 hours of community service.
He was also given a 15-month CCO for a break and enter at the Central Diesel Company in William Street when he stole $150 cash in 2001.
Mr Day said Borton's last offence was a Queensland offence in 2012.
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