John “Richo” Douglas Richardson applies for bail after pleading guilty to driving erratically on meth

A trucking veteran who was caught driving erratically outside a school while high on meth was already on bail for serious theft charges, a court heard.

A Birkenhead hoon has made a bail bid after he was caught driving erratically outside a school while high on meth.

John “Richo” Douglas Richardson, 54, applied for home detention bail in the Supreme Court on Monday after he offended while already on bail for serious charges.

A prosecutor opposed all forms of bail, saying the court could have no confidence Mr Richardson could comply with court orders.

The court heard Mr Richardson was already on home detention bail for allegedly stealing $120,000 of copper wiring from his employer, an Adelaide based major SA trucking company, when he committed the new offending.

John Richardson is alleged to have stolen $120,000 worth of copper wiring. Picture: Facebook

Police received reports of a white Mercedes Benz sedan driving erratically on Henley Beach Road, Mile End, at around 8am on October 26.

Police pulled over the vehicle outside of a school and conducted a roadside drug test on Mr Richardson, who returned a positive reading to methamphetamine.

John Richardson was pulled over by police after reports of erratic driving. Police allegedly found drug paraphernalia, cash and a large amount of suspected stolen cigarettes. Picture Dylan Hogarth

A prosecutor said Mr Richardson was mounting kerbs and almost colliding with other vehicles and would be a risk again to the community if released.

Officers also allegedly uncovered drug paraphernalia, cash and a large amount of suspected stolen tobacco and cigarettes following a search of the car.

“Police located what they believe to be a tick list relating to suspected sales of tobacco,” the prosecutor said.

The prosecutor said Mr Richardson, who had a history of dishonesty, was allegedly linked to the copper wiring theft by Geodata in the company truck matching up with his phone data.

David Moen, for Mr Richardson, told the court his client was due to face trial for the alleged copper wiring theft in October but was now willing to speak to the authorities about who took the items.

Mr Moen said Mr Richardson had pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and driving recklessly in relation to the new offending but was contesting the other charges as the suspected stolen goods weren’t his.

The court heard Mr Richardson, a 35-year veteran of the trucking industry, had drug addiction and mental health issues which he was willing to address.

Justice Sandi McDonald adjourned the application until later this week.