Sydney real estate agent Theodore Penemenos has had drug and stolen property charges dismissed on mental health grounds, following a court decision acknowledging his ongoing rehabilitation.
Penemenos, 31, pleaded guilty in June to possessing cocaine and suspected stolen goods.
The charges related to a May 14 incident in Padstow Heights, where police found him in possession of a woman’s passport and later discovered 9.4g of cocaine concealed in his clothing while in custody.
In Bankstown Local Court on Friday, Magistrate Glen Walsh accepted a Section 14 mental health application, noting Penemenos had been “clean” and was actively engaged in treatment.
“I accept wholeheartedly the diagnosis … and the treatment plan,” he said.
The court heard Penemenos had completed a seven-week stay at St John of God in North Richmond, maintained a 9pm curfew, and had regularly reported to police.
His lawyer said he was addressing underlying ADHD and PTSD, and urged that structured treatment in the community was more appropriate than correctional supervision.
Magistrate Walsh warned Penemenos against reoffending: “You must not commit an offence and you must follow your treatment.”
Source: Daily Telegraph.
