http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/ballarat-thief-helps-police-catch-bigger-crook/story-fn7x8me2-1226265885802
A THIEF in Ballarat has been praised for turning himself in so police could catch an even bigger criminal.
The man, who can't be identified for legal reasons, stole two mobile phones in Ballarat, northwest of Melbourne, but turned up at the nearest police station when he saw one of the devices had images of child pornography.
While he was charged with theft after coming forward, his actions also allowed police to arrest and charge a 46-year-old man.
The thief won high praise from a magistrate and even the state's police chief this week when his own case came before the courts.
The man pleaded guilty in Ballarat Magistrates Court to breaking into a car and stealing the phones last October.
Taking into account guilty pleas for other charges he was facing, the magistrate handed down an ultimate sentence of one month in jail and a $400 fine.
A THIEF in Ballarat has been praised for turning himself in so police could catch an even bigger criminal.
The man, who can't be identified for legal reasons, stole two mobile phones in Ballarat, northwest of Melbourne, but turned up at the nearest police station when he saw one of the devices had images of child pornography.
While he was charged with theft after coming forward, his actions also allowed police to arrest and charge a 46-year-old man.
The thief won high praise from a magistrate and even the state's police chief this week when his own case came before the courts.
The man pleaded guilty in Ballarat Magistrates Court to breaking into a car and stealing the phones last October.
Taking into account guilty pleas for other charges he was facing, the magistrate handed down an ultimate sentence of one month in jail and a $400 fine.
