A DOUBLEVIEW man has avoided jail after threatening his neighbour with a baseball bat.
Wayne Scott Beton faced Perth Magistrates Court on July 18 on seven charges over offences in January and February.
A police prosecutor told the court he stole earrings worth $19.95 from Chemist Warehouse in Mirrabooka on January 31 and broke into a Nollamara home on February 6, stealing a laptop from the premises causing $600 worth of damage.
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READ NOWHe said Beton was also charged over a February 22 altercation in Doubleview with his neighbour where he threatened him with a baseball bat.
He attended Scarborough Police to make a complaint but was instead charged himself.
Beton pleaded guilty to all charges, including two bail breaches, but his defence lawyer said the thefts were “opportunistic” and in the most recent offence, he felt his neighbour was threatening him.
She said his methamphetamine use was “largely persuaded by other people” and he had sought help for mental health issues.
Chief magistrate Steven Heath said a supervision order was preferable to help Beton avoid drugs and keep up with mental health support.
“If you don’t make some changes then you will be back to see me and we will be talking about imprisonment,” he said.
He imposed a 12-month supervision order with requirements to attend programs and payment for the earrings and damage caused.
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