Champion jockey Danny Nikolic and ex-lawyer Patrick Lennon front court over alleged Carlton break-in

Champion jockey Danny Nikolic and former lawyer Patrick Lennon have fronted court after allegedly becoming trapped inside a Carlton home while attempting to steal $177,000 worth of luxury items.

Danny Nikolic and Patrick Lennon have fronted court over an alleged break-in at a Carlton home. Picture: Nadir Kinani

Champion jockey Danny Nikolic and former lawyer Patrick Lennon have fronted court accused of attempting to steal $177,000 worth of luxury items from a Carlton home.

Police allege the pair forced entry into a townhouse on Berkeley St about 2am on January 9 before they were arrested following reports of a break-in.

On Tuesday, Mr Lennon, 61, and Mr Nikolic, 50, the latter a former Caulfield Cup winner, sat beside each other in the front row of Melbourne Magistrates’ Court charged with burglary and theft.

Prosecutor Michael Roper said the items the men allegedly tried to steal, which included jewellery and a Toyota HiLux, were valued at $177,000.

The court heard their cases would likely be uplifted to a higher court because the alleged attempted theft exceeded $100,000.

The home belonged to a wealthy businessman and the men were allegedly trapped inside by deadlocked doors, Nine Newspapers previously reported.

Mr Nikolic has been charged with burglary and theft. Picture: Nadir Kinani

It was reported Mr Nikolic and Mr Lennon allegedly used a ladder to climb onto the roof of the cafe next door before breaking into the property through a balcony.

The court on Tuesday heard Mr Nikolic was facing separate unrelated assault charges.

When asked about the progress of that case, Mr Nikolic claimed the matter had “finished a few years back”.

“The lawyers I had said the matter was resolved and they dropped the charges,” he said.

Magistrate Belinda Wallington told him he was still on bail for the charges and should seek legal advice.

Wearing a hoodie jumper embroidered with flowers and yellow skulls and ripped skinny black jeans, Mr Lennon declined to comment as he left court.

Mr Lennon refused to comment as he left court. Picture: Nadir Kinani

He was forced to walk around a woman who yelled abuse at reporters through a megaphone about an unrelated Covid-19 case.

Mr Nikolic, dressed in a burgundy sweater, left separately and ran from court to avoid the media.

The pair will return to court on June 17.

A former champion jockey, Mr Nikolic was handed a racing ban in 2012 for threatening racing officials.

He was once represented by Mr Lennon, a former high-flying lawyer whose previous clients include underworld figure Mick Gatto, in a failed bid to overturn the racing ban.

Mr Lennon no longer practices law after his practising certificate expired.

Originally published as Champion jockey Danny Nikolic and ex-lawyer Patrick Lennon front court over alleged Carlton break-in