Magistrate issues weed warning to Jeremiah Ekisa as he faces court on multiple charges

A Mile End man – who has smoked marijuana since the age of 10 – will “be fairly quickly back in trouble again” unless he kicks the drug, according to a magistrate.

A man was sentenced in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court today on a string of charges including causing more than $1000 worth of damage to a Centrelink office. Picture: NCA NewsWire / James Gourley

A 19-year-old Mile End man has been warned to stay off marijuana after it was revealed in court he had smoking the drug since the young age of 10.

Jeremiah Ekisa appeared in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court via video link on Friday and was sentenced on a string of charges including damaging property at Centrelink, offensive language, unlawful possession, theft and breaching bail.

In sentencing, Magistrate Paul Foley warned Eskia that keeping off drugs was critical to him staying out of jail.

“You have used cannabis since the age of 10 on a regular basis,” Mr Foley said.

“Without reducing your use of marijuana, you’re likely to be fairly quickly back in trouble again.

“Without support and without you having some commitment to making changes with your life, you’re going to find yourself back offending.”

Jeremiah Ekisa appeared in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court today via video-link. Picture: Kaysee Miller

The court heard the charges ranged from theft of low value items, to property damage.

“On September 18, 2019, there’s a count of theft from OTR at Hilton where food and drink items (were stolen), then on October 17, 2019, there’s a count of theft with similar offending, this time from Foodland,” Mr Foley said.

“On December 25, 2019, there was theft from another retail outlet at West Lakes, where you took $44 worth of items, and then on December 27, 2019, another account of theft, almost identical to the one before.

“From January 3, another count of theft, this time from Drakes Supermarkets, of relatively low value items.

“Once you were detected and police became involved, you became abusive, which gives rise to a charge of offensive language.

“When you were searched, a female’s watch was found, concealed by you, which gives rise to an unlawful possession charge.

“On January 29, you damaged property at a Centrelink office, where you punched a customer interview panel, causing in excess of $1000 damage.”

Ekisa also faced two counts on breaches of bail, a count of disorderly behaviour and a further two counts of thefts.

Magistrate Foley said the repetition of the offending was concerning.

Ekisa was sentenced to 8 months of imprisonment, which was reduced to 5 months 18 days due to his guilty plea.