Una Ebsworth
This is a real case study by one of our lawyers. The person who is in charge of this area in the firm is Una Ebsworth. Una is a Director and LIV Accredited Criminal Law Specialist at Doogue + George, recognised by Doyle's Guide as a Preeminent Criminal Defence Lawyer in Victoria (2026). With over 15 years of experience, she acts in complex fraud, drug prosecutions, homicide, sexual offences, and appellate work to the Court of Appeal and High Court of Australia.
View full profile →This is a case study on theft, aggravated burglary, and driving offences at the Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court, where the time served on remand was accepted as the appropriate sentence.
What is alleged to have occured?
Our client pleaded guilty to a raft of offences including thefts of motor vehicles. The offending was protracted which occurred over some 14 months. He was remanded and served 5 months and 2 weeks in gaol by way of pre-sentence detention.
What happened at court?
We acted on the client’s behalf at the Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court. The charges were:
During the plea, we satisfied the sentencing magistrate that, despite the client’s prolific offending, the client demonstrated a willingness to rehabilitate himself given that he used his time in custody effectively. We also added that the client’s partner gave birth whilst he was in custody and that this gave him an extra incentive to “get his life on track”. Further, we made submissions about the client’s “youthfulness” and reminded the magistrate that rehabilitation is germane to the sentencing process.
What was the result?
Ultimately, the magistrate was satisfied that the time served was an appropriate sentence for the property, causing injury, and driving offences. The client was then released on a Community Correction Order.
DISCLAIMER: This is a real case study of an actual case from our files. Details pertaining to the client have been changed to protect their privacy. The sentence imposed and the charge have not been altered. These case studies are published to demonstrate real outcomes and give an indication of possible tariffs in Court. We do not guarantee a similar case on these charges will get the same result. Please note that we post results at our discretion, therefore while many case studies are average results, others are notable for their exceptional outcomes. PUBLISHED 31/05/2018
