Steven Brooks in court after Premier Steven Marshall’s government car ransacked

A man who allegedly broke into the Premier’s government car also had a sawn-off shotgun he “just found”, a court has heard.

A man who allegedly broke in Premier Steven Marshall’s car was also in possession of sawn-off shotgun a court has heard – but he insisted he “just found it”.

Steven Brooks, 34, of Adelaide, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court late on Thursday.

He has yet to plead to one count of illegal use of a motor vehicle and one count of possessing a firearm without a licence.

Brooks allegedly broke into Mr Marshall’s government car just after 6pm on Tuesday while the vehicle was parked in Victoria Place, behind the State Administration Centre.

The incident was captured on CCTV. Just after 11am on Wednesday, police recognised the alleged offender in Hindley St and took him into custody.

SA Premier Steven Marshall’s car was broken into. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

A government spokesman said while the vehicle had window damage, nothing of significance was stolen. It is understood a bag containing personal items belonging to a staffer was taken.

“While there was some damage to a window, the Premier’s office is not in the practice of storing sensitive documents in the car and there is no concern of any being taken during the incident,’’ the spokesman said.

On Thursday, the court heard Brooks was in possession of a sawn-off shotgun when he was arrested.

Brooks, who appeared via video-link while in custody, responded: “I just found it.”

Counsel for Brooks said they would not be seeking bail, prompting him to ask, “why not?”

It was explained to Brooks that, as an alleged firearms offender, he was a prescribed candidate for bail and could not be released unless special circumstances were established.

Counsel for Brooks asked for time to seek those circumstances and to review CCTV footage of their client’s movements around the city.

Brooks was remanded in custody to face court again in June.