Beau Blake pleads guilty to gun possession, car theft, handling stolen goods

A Geelong man’s three-month crime spree of car thefts and other criminal activity started to unravel after a moment of madness in the city centre.

A crook who threw a bag containing a loaded double-barrel shotgun, his bank card and phone into bushes near the Geelong hospital has faced court.

Beau Blake panicked and threw the gun into the bushes when police interrupted his attempt to steal a car from a Bellarine St home about 4am on September 21 last year.

On Tuesday, the Geelong Magistrates’ Court was told Blake went on a three-month crime spree after he was released from jail in July 2020.

During that time Blake was in possession of a bolt-action rifle and the shotgun, just days apart, a stolen car allegedly used in an armed robbery, drugs and multiple stolen bank and identity cards.

Police Prosecutor Chris Sinfield said both guns were linked to Blake after DNA testing.

Defence barrister Tim Sullivan said Blake had the guns for protection after he was seriously bashed three times, unlawfully imprisoned, and “run foul” of his criminal associates.

“He is not a violent man,” Mr Sullivan said.

Beau Blake who faced the Geelong Magistrates' Court on Tuesday

“He has run foul of the people he associates with … they are serious criminals. He has been scared for his life.”

In July last year Blake obtained identity documents that allowed him to pick up a car from a smash repair shop. He later drove that car to Leopold in late August.

Senior Constable Sinfield said the vehicle was used in an armed robbery in Belmont on August 24 last year. 

A day later Blake was spotted in the vehicle at the Corio Village Shopping Centre. When police tried to intercept him he sped and ran a red light to get away. 

Blake was identified by police behind the wheel due to his distinctive hair colour and face tattoo, the court was told.

On the night of the drive-off police went to Blake’s Drysdale bungalow to talk to him but found no one home, the court was told.  

Beaut Blake threw a bag containing a loaded double-barrel shotgun, his bank card and phone into bushes near the Geelong hospital. Picture: Glenn Ferguson

The court heard Blake later told police the car had already been stolen at the time police spotted him in it at Corio Village.    

Mr Sullivan said his client was in a “tunnel of horrors” that involved jail time and reoffending shortly after release.

The court heard Blake had undergone eight months of one-on-one drug counselling and had reduced his reliance on methadone.  

Mr Sullivan said his client wanted to leave his criminal past behind, cut ties with criminal associates, had support of a well-functioning family, and wanted to be a barber when released from jail.

Blake, who has spent more than 12 months in custody, was moved to a jail offering prisoners protection from the general prison population, the court heard.  

Magistrate Simon Guthrie told Blake he needed to be a role model for his nine-year-old daughter.

Blake pleaded guilty to offences including car theft, dishonesty, drug possession, firearm possession and dishonestly receiving stolen goods. He will be sentenced in November.  

Originally published as Beau Blake pleads guilty to gun possession, car theft, handling stolen goods