Jamie Elgers convicted, fined over driving, machetes

A Geelong magistrate has described a young man’s spiral into crime as being a reminder of the “destructive” power of the drug ice.

Jamie Elgers in 2019. Picture: Facebook

A Geelong magistrate has described a young man’s spiral into crime as being a reminder of the “destructive” power of the drug ice.

Jamie Rodney Elgers, 26, fronted the Geelong Magistrates’ Court facing a number of separate police briefs and pleaded guilty to a litany of charges.

Police prosecutor Acting-Sergeant Andrew Clapham said Elgers driver’s licence was suspended on July 7 last year for six months.

The court heard during a search of his car five days later, police found two machetes in sheaths in the back seat, which Elgers said he had for “self defence”.

In September, Elgers was driving a Volkswagen golf in Newcomb when he was intercepted by police and the car searched, revealing 3g of ice in ziplock bags, and other items including gloves, a balaclava and Milwaukee power tools.

In January, Elgers was driving a white Haval van in St Albans Park when police caught up with him in Raymond Ct.

The van’s licence plates were partially obscured with blue tape, and inside police found items including power tools, a licence plate believed to be stolen, and two bullets of unknown calibre, Sgt Clapham said.

About a week later, Elgers was spotted by police driving the same white Havel van through a red light on Barwon Heads Rd in Belmont.

When he was intercepted at a 7/11, Elgers climbed into front the front seat into a back seat, getting out through a back door and denying he had been the driver.

When police rang the van’s owner, he nominated Elgers as the driver.

Elgers’ lawyer, Mel Cox, told the court her client had no prior history but had arrived “with a bang” in the criminal justice system.

She told the court Elgers had been raised by a single-mother in Whittington, and had a solid work history.

The offending was driven by his drug use following a relapse, the court heard, but prior to that Elgers, who was supported in court by his partner, mother and grandmother, had been clean for four years.

The offending was out of character for the “gentle giant”, Ms Cox said, noting several character references tendered to the court.

The court heard Elgers planned to move to Queensland and had engaged with the Power In You program, with Ms Cox stating he was an “ideal” candidate for it.

She said Elgers was anxious about being in court, and upset and ashamed with his actions, but would be welcomed back to his former employment as long as he provided clean drug screens.

Magistrate Franz Holzer convicted Elgers and fined him $1500, noting Elgers offending was “not pretty, but it just shows how destructive ice is”.

Ms Cox concurred, stating “nothing good comes of it” and “most ice users just want a normal, boring life”.

Noting the possession of machetes, Mr Holzer said it was a “topical issue”.

“Even for self-defence … its not an acceptable justification for having an item like that,” Mr Holzer said.

He said he hoped he was a one off, and hoped Elgers went “in the direction that he clearly can”.

Elgers had his licence was disqualified for three months.

Originally published as Jamie Elgers convicted, fined over driving, machetes