Teen sentenced after stealing from cripple

Jazmaine Lee Moles was arrested after a break and enter at the man's Gilbert Street home on April 17.

Magistrate Michael Price said Moles knew the victim was vulnerable when the crime was committed.

"You called him uncle," the magistrate said.

"People aren't called uncle or aunty at random."

The court heard Moles had been involved in negotiations with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions over allegations of aggravated enter dwelling knowing people are there, break and enter and steal property in dwelling house.

She pleaded guilty to the stealing offence when the DPP agreed to withdraw the more serious charges.

The man in the wheelchair closely watched proceedings in the court as Moles stared straight ahead showing no signs of emotion.

She was dressed in leopard print pants, a grey jumper, white canvas shoes and white socks with pink trim.

The prosecutor told the court he had discussed the matter with the complainant and the police officer in charge.

"The complainant feels vulnerable and has asked for an order that (Moles) not approach him or go near his residence," the prosecutor said

The court heard Moles had agreed to return a mobile phone SIM card stolen from the man.

An Aboriginal Legal Service solicitor said Moles had experienced great disadvantage.

"She was removed from her mother at age three and was a state ward for most of her life," the solicitor said.

"She suffered abuse at the hands of her carers and was living on her own from the age of 16 when she extracted herself from state care.

"She is now living in Sydney with her partner and his family. It is the first stable family environment she has experienced."

The solicitor said Moles had been subject to bad influences at the time of the offending.

She was now engaged with the Salvation Army, making inquiries about work and seeking to complete her schooling through TAFE.

Magistrate Price said Moles had taken advantage of a victim with an obvious vulnerability.

"It was a violation of his home," the magistrate said.

"The property stolen was small but the material on the SIM card was important to him. When it was taken he lost the ability to obtain assistance."

Magistrate Price accepted the disadvantage Moles had experienced but said it did not excuse her reprehensible behaviour.

Moles received a 12-month suspended jail sentence.

She was ordered to enter into a bond to be of good behaviour.

"You must not attempt to contact the victim or enter Gilbert Street," Magistrate Price said.

"It is an express condition of the bond that you give the SIM card to police within seven days.

"Any offence (in the next 12 months) will bring the guillotine down on you."