Aaron Elias Lloyd to be sentenced for possessing loaded gun at Elizabeth Vale

A druggie dad is “steadfast” in his innocence, despite keeping his undies and ID in the same bum bag as a loaded gun. See the photos from the raid.

A father-of-four caught with a loaded gun in the same bum bag as his ID and undies is still “steadfast” of his innocence, a court has heard.

Aaron Elias Lloyd, 34, was once an aspiring AFL player but descended into drug use and crime after he was shot five years ago.

Lloyd was found guilty last month by Judge Timothy Heffernan in the District Court of possessing a loaded firearm.

Timisha Ward, for the prosecution, told the court in her opening statement police attended an Elizabeth Vale premises in March 2020.

Lloyd answered the door and immediately slammed it shut upon seeing police.

Police searched the house and Holden sedan parked outside.

“Through the front passenger side window police observed a shotgun shell in an open Nike bum bag,” Ms Ward said.

Inside the bum bag police found a sawn-off Winchester single barrel 12-gauge shotgun, loaded with a round of ammunition and loose rounds of ammunition.

The gun found in Lloyd’s bum bag. Photo: Courts SA

The court heard Lloyd’s underwear, socks and wallet with bank cards and identification were also found in the bum bag, as well as a camouflage balaclava.

The Nike bum bag where the loaded gun was found. Picture: Courts SA

The Nike bum bag. Picture: Courts SA

A pair of Lloyd’s underwear which was also found in the Nike bum bag. Picture: Courts SA

Despite Lloyd’s DNA being found on the gun, he denied any knowledge of it when questioned.

Aaron Lloyd was found guilty of possessing a firearm. Photo: Facebook

The Elizabeth East father-of-four pleaded not guilty to possessing a firearm.

David Moen, for Lloyd, told the court during his trial he had cut off his home detention bracelet and was on the run at the time of the offence.

“The car (Holden sedan) belonged to what he thought was a friend of his,” he said.

Mr Moen told the court while Lloyd didn’t deny most of the other items in the Nike bum bag belonged to him, he said he had left the bum bag in a car after he had a car crash.

Judge Heffernan said he rejected this explanation.

“By his own admission, his bum bag was an essential item which he took with him everywhere,” he said.

The court heard police also found a battery pack inside the house that had the words ‘Lloydie F*** The Police Werner 156590 DCS’ written on it.

Lloyd’s battery pack found inside the house. Picture: Courts SA

Mr Moen said when cross examined it was put to Lloyd he would have to be “pretty bloody stupid” to have left his identification inside the bum bag with the gun.

“My client – I’m not going to be disrespectful – he’s not the sharpest tool in the shed,” he said.

“But he’s not a person who is not worldly wise if I can put it that way, in the sense of being involved in criminal activity.

“He’s not going to be a person who puts on gloves, grabs a hold of eight cartridges, puts them into his own bag, leaves them in his own bag when he’s on the run from the police, knowing full well they are looking for him,” he said.

During sentencing submissions in the District Court on Tuesday, Mr Moen said Lloyd was “steadfast” in his innocence and an appeal of the verdict was likely.

Mr Moen said Lloyd was shot in the hip five years ago and he descended into drug use.

“That caused him to give up his advancing career as an AFL football player,” he said.

The court heard Lloyd had since undertaken rehabilitation programs.

Ms Ward told the court Lloyd had a lengthy history, including a violent home invasion where he pointed what appeared to be a firearm at the homeowner.

Judge Heffernan will sentence Lloyd in November.