Forger sentenced to 10 years

A forger, who left a trail of counterfeit $100 notes when he travelled from Queensland to the NT and making amphetamines on the way, was sentenced yesterday to 10½ years’ jail.

Justice Sally Thomas sentenced Justin Lee Bellas to 7½ years on 49 Federal charges and to three years on 25 Territory charges.

She fixed a non-parole period of four years backdated to July 26 last year for time in custody.

The NT Supreme Court heard Bellas benefited by $2500 from the dud notes he passed in Queensland and by $700 in the NT.

He gained about $6700 in goods and services on frauds with various credit cards.

Bellas, 29, pleaded guilty to all charges which included nine drug charges of possessing, manufacturing and supplying amphetamine.

Justice Thomas said Bellas carried out a series of criminal activities, many connected to his addiction of amphetamine.

His addiction did not excuse the offending.

“It was a very calculated act of criminality, repeated on a regular basis,” the judge said of the passing of the counterfeit notes.

Justice Thomas said she felt Bellas had good prospects of rehabilitation.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Sat, 18 June 2005
Source: Northern Territory News (Australia)
Copyright: 2005 Northern Territory News
Contact: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Website: http://ntnews.news.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/283