Police have accused a jewellery thief of fabricating a story about having cancer when facing court over his crimes.
Matthew Butler, 29, told his lawyer before a Wodonga Magistrates’ Court appearance last month he had been diagnosed with melanoma and had only four years to live. He claimed he turned to the drug ice instead of chemotherapy.
But solicitor Mario Vaccaro told the court on Wednesday there was no evidence forthcoming from the hospital.
“There has been no response,” he said.
The police prosecutor said officers had investigated the claims themselves and Butler was now telling them he no longer had cancer.
“The reason no medical evidence is forthcoming is because none exists,” he said.
“There is no record of any treatment or any diagnosis … he tried to get his girlfriend and mother to give false testimony.”
Butler’s mother stuck to the claims, telling magistrate David Faram she saw her son with an intravenous drip in his arm, but did not accompany him for any further treatment.
Butler and Dusty Lyons, 33, stole about 100 pieces of jewellery worth $33,000 after smashing their way into Beechworth business The Finer Things of Life on April 9.
He had committed other break-ins at Beechworth, Myrtleford and Bright on March 12 or 13, taking about $500 in cash and causing more in damage.
Mr Faram sentenced him to 12 months in jail, minus the 43 days already served on remand.
Mr Vaccaro argued Butler should receive less time in jail than the seven months handed down to Lyons because he had been seeing a psychologist and drug counsellor and planned to move away from Wodonga.
“His intention is always good, but he says he can’t help himself,” he said.
The stolen jewellery pieces were swapped for drugs or sold for drug money.
Mr Faram said he was concerned by Butler’s serious criminal history, which included thefts and burglaries soon after he had been released from previous jail sentences.
“How many times does he have to go to jail before the penny drops?” he said.
“Things can change, people can change the direction of their lives.”
Butler was also fined $1500 for driving an unregistered vehicle without a licence and had his licence further disqualified for three years.
