A MAN who was found with a sawn-off rifle after evading a police pursuit has been jailed for two years and eight months.
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Jesse Ruff, 23, appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court where he pleaded guilty to driving dangerously while being pursued by police, driving while disqualified, possessing a firearm, theft, and possessing and trafficking drugs.
A summary read to the court said police were patrolling Breen Street in Golden Square about 11.55pm on March 17, 2019 when officers saw a car speeding in reverse along Allingham Street towards the Laurel Street intersection.
The summary read the white hatchback then reversed into the roundabout at the intersection. Police followed and activated flashing lights.
Police said Ruff, who was driving the car, looked at the officers before speeding away along Laurel Street and turning left into Panton Street.
The summary read Ruff then turned the headlights off and continued along Panton Street. Police stopped pursuing the car due to safety concerns.
The summary read about 4am the next morning, police found the white hatchback on Harvey Street, West Bendigo.
Police said the car's headlights and hazard lights were still on and Ruff was slumped in the driver's seat.
Ruff was wearing a bum bag at the time he was arrested and police found methamphetamine and other drugs in the bag.
There was also $3920 in cash, electronic scales, and two mobile phones which police say contained messages relating to trafficking methamphetamine and ecstasy.
Police also found a black bag in the car, which contained a sawn-off rifle.
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There was also live ammunition, a spring loaded doubled sided flick knife, and an empty box of ammunition in the car.
Police searched Ruff's home later that day and found a Tic-Tac container with rounds of live ammunition, a green ecstasy tablet, and a double sided dagger.
The summary read Ruff did not have a firearms licence or exemption, and is a prohibited person under the Firearms Act.
A police database search of the car's registration plate found it had been stolen during a burglary in March that year. Ruff's licence was disqualified at the time.
Ruff was arrested and interviewed by police. He provided a no comment interview.
Ruff was sentenced two years and eight months in jail, with a non-parole period of two years.
His driver's licence has been disqualified for 12 months.
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