Jordan Smith released on bail after pleading guilty to driving while disqualified, stealing petrol

Jordan Gary Smith, 22, pleaded guilty in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court on Monday. He admitted to charges including driving while disqualified and theft of petrol.

The court heard about 2.15pm on September 12 last year, police observed Smith driving a white Kia in Eaglehawk.

Smith drove past the police car and parked outside an address. He left the car and went to the front porch of the home.

The court heard police asked Smith to come back onto the road. A check of his drivers licence found it had been disqualified in January, 2019, for a period of 18 months.

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The court heard then about 10.15am on September 16 last year, Smith drove a silver Ford Falcon to a petrol station in Golden Square.

Smith filled up the car with petrol worth $92.34, but left without paying.

The court heard then on November 1 last year, Smith hired a white sedan from Sunbury business under another person's name.

The vehicle failed to be returned to the business on November 3.

On November 24, the white sedan was then involved in a petrol drive-off, where petrol worth $15.36 was stolen from a Strathdale petrol station.

CCTV footage showed Smith was the only person in the vehicle at the time of the offending.

The court heard the white sedan was then found in California Gully on December 5 last year. Police found Smith's DNA in the vehicle.

Then about 9am on December 13 last year, the court heard Smith was seen driving erratically in Bendigo.

Witnesses saw Smith get in and out of the vehicle a number of times, as well as punching the car's windscreen.

Police found Smith at the intersection of Barnard and Chum Streets in Bendigo at about 9.10am. The court heard Smith was still in the car in a drug-affected state.

Smith was arrested that day and subdued with capsicum spray.

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The court heard police found drug paraphernalia in the car. The vehicle also had stolen number plates.

Smith was charged on December 13 and faced an out of sessions hearing where he was remanded in custody.

He has been in police custody for 150 days.

Smith's defence lawyer told the court Smith was "immensely disappointed" in his behaviour and that the offending had stemmed from his drug use.

The lawyer submitted to the court Smith now had a stable relationship and safe accommodation where he would be able to receive treatment if released.

Magistrate Patrick Southey released Smith on bail under the court integrated services program.

Mr Southey said most of Smith's offending came from the fact he had never held a licence.

"It's absolutely infuriating," Mr Southey said. "Just go and get your licence when you are allowed to and don't drive in the meantime. I'm not asking that much."

Smith will be eligible for a licence later this year. He is due to return to court next month.

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