Police found two “homemade spears” – made from hollow tubes and knife blades – in the boot of a Kangaroo Flat man’s car, a court has heard.
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Trevor Kemp, 22, denied the weapons were his, telling police he had just bought the car off a friend.
But in the Bendigo Magistrates Court yesterday Kemp pleaded guilty to possessing the illegal weapons, as well as several other driving and theft charges.
Prosecuting, Senior Constable Mark Herman said Kemp was intercepted in Lyttleton Terrace on February 12, driving a red Commodore.
Senior Constable Herman said police discovered the vehicle was unregistered, had the wrong number plates and Kemp – the holder of a learner’s permit – did not have L-plates displayed.
“A search of the vehicle found two home-made spears in the boot made from hollow tube and knife blades,” he said.
Senior Constable Herman said Kemp also faced theft charges from October 2010, when he had stolen two phones and a wallet from unlocked cars. He was also charged with stealing two radios from an electronics shop.
“He said he didn’t remember the thefts but it was likely he did them because at the time he was dependent on drugs,” Senior Constable Herman said.
The court heard Kemp had amassed 27 pages of criminal history.
Defence lawyer Luke Docherty said his client had served 10 months in Barwon Prison and was in the custody unit where Carl Williams was murdered.
“It wasn’t an easy time to serve and I would ask for that to be taken into account,” Mr Docherty said. He said Kemp was starting a new job at Hazeldene’s this week and asked for the matter to be dealt with by way of a fine.
Magistrate Richard Wright said Kemp had a “significant history for such a young person”, but agreed to temper his punishment.
“Since he has spent such a significant time in jail an aggregate fine might send the message. He can work it off in his spare time when he’s not working at Hazeldene’s,” Mr Wright said.
He imposed a $2500 fine with conviction.