Jason Valentine Baldwin faces Ballarat court for demanding friend’s car while wielding knife

A Wendouree man told a friend who had given him a lift, “I hate what I’m going to do,” before pulling out a knife and demanding his vehicle.

Jason Valentine Baldwin pleaded guilty to extortion at Ballarat County Court on January 21, 2025. Picture: Facebook

A Wendouree man threatened his own friend with a knife, demanding use of his car.

Jason Valentine Baldwin, 26, faced Ballarat County Court on Thursday, having pleaded guilty to extortion, making a threat to damage property, and possessing a drug of dependence.

The court heard that on January 7, 2024, a friend picked up Baldwin and drove him to a family member’s house around 1.15am.

They arrived, and after briefly chatting, Baldwin said, “I hate when I’m going to do” and pulled out a 15cm blade.

He told his friend he wanted his car and would burn the vehicle if he called the police.

Baldwin threatened to burn his friend’s car if the police were called. Picture: File

After some time, the friend went looking for the car, spotted it in Wendouree, and went to the police.

Officers found Baldwin in the roof cavity of a home, alongside a small amount of methamphetamine.

He told them he would never have hurt his friend of the car.

Judge Simon Moglia called Baldwin’s actions a “betrayal” and a “low act for a friend”.

He sentenced Baldwin to 18 months in prison with a non-parole period of one year.

Baldwin has spent 292 days in custody.