Parole Board Decision

In the matter of the Corrections Act 1997

and

In the matter of an Application for Parole by Phillip Lloyd Littlejohn

13 June 2008

Reason for Decision

Since October 2000 the Applicant was been convicted of aggravated armed robbery, aggravated burglary, stealing, assault, receiving stolen property, dishonestly acquiring a financial advantage (3), stealing (3), obtain goods by false pretences (18), forgery (22), uttering (20), aggravated burglary, exceed prescribed alcohol limit, driver not having the authority to drive with alcohol in body, drive whilst disqualified, burglary (3), breach of bail (4), perverting justice, obtaining goods by false pretences, aggravated burglary, stealing, burglary (2), stealing (2), dishonestly acquiring a financial advantage, obtaining goods by false pretences (24), dishonestly acquiring a financial advantage (51), aggravated burglary (2), stealing (5), breach of bail (2), forgery (22), uttering (22).

The Applicant has been sentenced to a total of 8 years and 8 months for these convictions with a non-parole period of 5 years and 5 months. He was released twice on parole but these orders were revoked in October 2004, and again, after a period of release, in February 2007.

He has become eligible to be released again on the 20 June 2008.

The Board is aware that the Applicant does not have a good track record of complying with orders and has carefully considered the statutory criteria which it is required to do pursuant to the Corrections Act 1997.

In doing so the Board has considered the following information:

1. The Applicant is a pathological gambler. At the age of 8 he became a ward of the state and suffered abuse, receiving compensation from the State. He is 51 years of age.

2. The Board notes the Applicant has taken positive steps whilst in prison, seeking counselling from Relationships Australia and Anglicare in relation to his gambling. This counselling has been attended fortnightly in the last 12 months.

3. He has placed himself on a register to be banned from all gaming venues. He readily agrees he requires further counselling.

4. He expresses remorse and states, that at his age, he wishes to remain outside the prison system in the future.

5. The Applicant has a reasonable record of behaviour whilst in prison in recent years

6. The Board notes there is a victim and a non-molestation order will apply in relation to that victim. The Applicant is not permitted to enter the grounds of the Queens Arm Hotel in Longford

7. The Board notes the Applicant has prospects of employment on release and that he has suitable accommodation after his immediate release from prison.

8. The Board has considered the pre-parole report prepared by his probation officer dated 11 June 2008, in particular, the need for ongoing counselling for childhood trauma and the pathological gambling addiction.

Taking all matters into account, the Board is of the view that the Applicant now meets the statutory criteria to be granted parole and that his reintegration into the wider community will best be served by the Applicant being granted a period of parole. The above mentioned non-molestation order will apply and the Applicant is to refrain from the excessive consumption of intoxicating liquor. He is to attend counselling as directed by his Probation Officer.

Paroled 1/07/2008 – 9/09/2011