Ashley Martin Lord, 36, appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court on Monday. He has been charged with offences including theft, trafficking methamphetamine, and contravening bail.

Police alleged sometime between January 2020 and January 5, 2021, Mr Lord stole items from a bushland property in Chewton.

Read other news:

Police searched Mr Lord's Drummond property on January 5 this year and seized items including rifles, a sawn-off shotgun, six cannabis plants, ziplock bags containing a crystal substance, car parts, an antique vase, a samurai sword, and ammunition.

It was alleged a large portion of the items were stolen from the Chewton property.

The court heard Mr Lord told police during the search that he had been to the Chewton property about 12 months earlier and he "took a bunch of stuff".

Mr Lord does not hold a firearms licence. He was on bail for other matters at the time of the alleged offending.

Defence lawyer Nicholas Rolfe told the court Mr Lord had already spent 27 days in custody.

Read more court news:

Mr Rolfe said his client was planning to contest the charges in court, meaning there could be lengthy delays.

The defence lawyer said Mr Lord could be bailed under strict conditions as part of the court integrated services program. Mr Rolfe said his client could also post a $3000 surety.

But Magistrate Patrick Southey said CISP was "not a magic solution" and that Mr Lord could be looking at a significant jail sentence if found guilty.

Mr Southey said the prosecution had a strong case and that the charges were "alarming".

The magistrate said if the delay in the courts became unacceptable, Mr Lord could apply for bail again.

Mr Lord was denied bail and remanded in custody. He is due to return to the Bendigo Magistrates' Court next month.

Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.