Subjective matters
14 The applicant was born on 6 August 1970 at Moora in Western Australia. His father left the family when the applicant was about three or four. The family thereafter lived in a variety of places, including Queensland and the Northern Territory, before settling in New South Wales. In New South Wales his mother entered into a new relationship which ultimately led to marriage. Following the marriage the family moved back to Western Australia and lived in various rural areas including Kalgoorlie.
15 It is not necessary to set out in detail the course of the applicant's life thereafter. It would be fair to say, however, that he had a highly disrupted and fragmented upbringing. The applicant's stepfather was abusive to him and in 1978 he was placed in emergency foster care by the Western Australian Department of Community Services. This occurred because of injuries he had sustained at the hands of his stepfather.
16 Thereafter until 1987 the pattern of his life comprised periods of living with his family culminating inevitably with him being returned to the Department of Community Services. There were instances of him being abandoned by his family in remote locations in the care of "friends". He spent more time in the care of the Department than with his family. He was made a ward of the state in December 1983. Not surprisingly in March 1984 he said that he had no desire to have any further contact with his family.
17 He developed psychological problems and was undergoing psychiatric and psychological treatment between 1985 and 1987. In January 1985 the following opinion was expressed:
"Vance presents as an overtly passive, compliant lad who is uncertain of his own self. The combination of parental rejections and foster placement moves had left him feeling vulnerable but as wanting to "fit in" and be accepted by adults."
18 In March 1987 another psychologist expressed this opinion:
"I feel he has coped well with his traumatic background in that he displays a desire to relate positively, to gain acceptance from adults and to accept responsibility (eg his involvement as a cub leader). There is however evidence of emotional immaturity, anxiety, impulsivity and lack of insight consistent with Vance's history of emotional deprivation, abuse and rejection."
19 Unsurprisingly, given the nature of his upbringing, he developed problems with alcohol and illegal drugs. During 2001 there were nine attendances at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital for treatment for drug and alcohol problems, depression and suicidal ideation. In July 2001 he was admitted to the Rozelle Hospital for drug rehabilitation, the relevant drugs being opoids, cocaine and cannabinoids. He was admitted to the Phoenix Unit at Manly Hospital in November 2001 with a history of consuming cocaine, heroin and pills in significant quantities. He sought medical assistance in December 2002 in relation to his drug and alcohol dependency and depressive illness.
20 He then appears to have been drug and alcohol free for over three and a half years until 2005. It is not clear why he relapsed. Relevant to these offences is the fact that on 18 August 2005 he was admitted to the "Foundation House Rehabilitation Program" as a voluntary patient and remained for twenty eight days and appeared to satisfactorily complete the program.
21 Despite his drug and alcohol problems, he was in employment during much of the period. Between March 1997 and September 1998 he was employed at the Haberfield Post School Options Program as a social educator. He performed occupational therapy for disabled people, worked in a funeral parlour and worked at a child care centre. In 2004 he was made redundant at the Seaforth Child Care Centre. Thereafter he worked casually as a child care assistant until April 2005. He has been unemployed since that date.
22 The report from a psychologist, Ms Duffy, prepared for the sentencing proceedings seems to me to adequately bring together the various threads of the applicant's unfortunate background.
"Your client Vance Reaburn gives a history of a dysfunctional, chaotic as well as abusive family background. The family moved many times, he was subject to frequent beatings from his stepfather to the extent that the Authorities intervened and he was placed into foster care. As a result of these early abusive experiences, Vance has felt extremely disconnected from his family of origin and has had very little to do with them during his adult years … Having lacked stable constructive adult role models it appears his own level of self identity is somewhat weak and he cannot control his emotions. Vance has a history of self destructive behaviour amounting to self mutilation and occasional suicide attempts. Some suicidal attempts often occurred in response to abandonment by others … To cope with these emotional problems Vance has had at various times been dependent on substances including alcohol, cannabis, LSD and more recently heroin and cocaine. To his credit he underwent comprehensive rehabilitation and follow up treatment and was drug and alcohol free for over three and a half years until July 2005.
…
Vance has at times engaged in impulsive and self destructive behaviour, consistent with his borderline personality. On this occasion, however, his behaviour was also destructive and very frightening for the victim. His actions show an inability to control his behaviours and emotions and these aspects of his personality need to be addressed in a therapeutic setting."
23 Despite his unfortunate background and substance abuse, his criminal record is not particularly serious. It comprised a break enter offence and some stealing offences in Western Australia in November 1983, three further offences of false pretences in Western Australia in May 1991 and break enter and steal and a number of make and use a false instrument offences in New South Wales in November 2001. He was sentenced to community service orders in respect of those offences in New South Wales and placed on a s9 bond. All of the offences involved dishonesty. There were no offences involving violence or sexual assault. This will be the first time that he has served a term of imprisonment.
24 As can be seen from the transcript of the conversation recorded by the victim immediately following the offences, he expressed considerable remorse and contrition for what he had done. This was confirmed in the evidence which he gave before the sentencing judge and in a letter which he sent to the victim. He said that he was horrified by the reality of what he had done.
25 It was common ground that the applicant pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.