James Blease faces court over alleged Cowes burglary

A Cowes man is being urged to “take control of his destiny” and consider rehab by a Magistrate after he allegedly burgled a house while on drugs.

James Blease.

A Cowes man is being encouraged to consider going into rehab by a magistrate after he allegedly committed a burglary and was found with drugs.

James Blease appeared in the assessment and referral court (ARC) in Wonthaggi on Tuesday after he was charged with trespassing, theft, driving offences, and possessing a drug of dependence.

It is alleged Mr Blease entered a home in Cowes as a trespasser and stole laptops and jewellery in April this year.

Also in April it alleged Mr Blease also dealt with proceeds of crime valued at just under $500.

Late last year it is alleged Mr Blease was in possession of Xanax and drove with it in his system along the Princes Freeway where he allegedly failed to stay in his lane while driving.

Magistrate Jacinta Studham told Mr Blease he had to “take control over (his) own destiny” and consider all his treatment options, including a public rehab facility which Mr Blease was hesitant about.

“You have an issue with drugs,” Ms Studham said.

Mr Blease was entered into the ARC system, a court process for accused persons who have a mental illness and/or a cognitive impairment, for the charges but also has charges remaining in the mainstream court.

In April he was bailed for the alleged burglary in Cowes, with a condition to reside at his mother’s home just up the road from his alleged burglary.