Zac Lewis: Dubbo man to be sentenced after being caught with two knives in public

A Dubbo man caught concealing two knives, and a syringe, while riding his bike home failed to convince police that he had a “reasonable excuse” for doing so.

A Dubbo man who was caught riding his bike home with two knives in his possession has pleaded guilty in Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday.

Zac Lewis, 25, was excused from appearing in court as defence lawyer, Mr Colyier entered a plea of guilty to one charge of custody of a knife in a public place.

According to documents tendered to Dubbo Local Court, Lewis was spotted by police at 4:15am on May 23, during high visibility patrols in South Dubbo.

“(He was) wearing dark coloured clothing and black gloves,” police facts state.

After being stopped by police on Durum Circuit, Dubbo, Lewis was asked about his presence in the area, replying that he was travelling home after being at a friend’s house.

Zac Lewis plead guilty in Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday.

“Police conducted checks on (Lewis) which revealed recent intelligence of the accused for custody and concealment of a knife, including intelligence relating to break and enters and prohibited drugs,” police facts state.

With the knowledge of Lewis’ prior history police requested to search him, with the accused revealing that he was in possession of a knife secreted in the inner lining of his jacket – which he later said to police was for his “protection”.

Lewis was ordered to place the knife on the ground, to which he complied, later informing officers that he also had a capped syringe in his possession along with a second knife at the bottom of his backpack.

“Police observed (Lewis) to be in possession of a multi-tool knife red in colour, as well as a red box cutter knife,” police facts state.

After finishing the search, police cautioned Lewis in relation to the possession of the knives.

He later said to police that he was unsure what he used them for, but at times would use them to fix his bike.

In further questioning, police inquired as to how the knives could be used to fix the bike, as Lewis responded “I don’t know”.

“Police were satisfied the accused could not provide a reasonable excuse why he was carrying a knife therefore police issued the accused with a field court attendance notice,” police facts state.

The court heard from Lewis’ lawyer that he was to be excused from court due to work arrangements with Magistrate Theresa Hamilton accepting Mr Colyier’s request for a sentence date on August 10.