Homeless man denied prison sentence for accommodation immediately commits crime

GERALDTON, Australia (WKRC) – A homeless man demanded a jail sentence after he couldn't find housing. When he was denied housing, he committed another crime within hours.

David Ambrosius, 48, was charged in July 2023 after failing to control a fire he had set. He was taken into custody and although he was briefly released on bail, he was taken into custody again in November.

At his sentencing on Monday, Ambrosius said he had been unable to obtain public housing while incarcerated and requested an extension to “solve” his problem. He specifically said he wanted to use prison resources and services to improve his skills and find housing.

“If I am released, I will reoffend,” he said. “I will be in the same situation and will have to reoffend. If I get a prison sentence, I can solve the problem so that I do not reoffend.”

However, the judge ignored his warning and released Ambrosius.

“It's a small fire when someone is cold and homeless,” argued Judge David Maclean. He said the seriousness of the crime did not justify such a long prison sentence.

Just a few hours after his release, Ambrosius was arrested for trespassing and property damage.

He was fined $300 for those offenses, plus a $100 fine for a previous offense. However, the fines will not be enforced unless Ambrosius reoffends within seven days of his hearing.