James Darin: Magistrate slams ‘Wild West’ mentality of man with Wish weapon

An Illawarra man has been sentenced for possessing a weapon purchased on Wish with a magistrate linking the self-defence “mentality” to that seen in the US.

A Figtree man caught with an extendible baton he’d purchased from online e-commerce website Wish has been given a stern warning by a magistrate.

James Darin, 33, fronted Wollongong Local Court in late July having pleaded guilty to possessing a prohibited weapon without a permit.

The charge stems back to Tuesday, April 14, this year when police were patrolling Boronga Cres, Berkeley, when they came across a silver Mitsubishi Triton stopped in front of a house.

The officers pulled behind the car before the passenger bolted inside the house.

Police approached Darin in the driver‘s seat who was irrational and appeared drug-affected due to the unusual things he was saying.

A search of the vehicle uncovered an extendible metal baton which Darin told the officer he used for “personal protection”.

An extendible metal baton, like the one found with James Darin. Picture: Wish

Darin was allowed to walk out of court with an 18-month community corrections order, but not before a scolding from Magistrate Michael O’Brien.

“I am intrigued when people carry around items for protection,” the magistrate said, before raising his voice.

“We are not living in the Wild West anymore. We live in a civilised society.

“[Carrying protection] is the sort of mentality that we see in other jurisdictions overseas and we look on in horror.

“Having a weapon means you’re predisposed to using it on someone.”

The CCO will expire in January, 2024.