Mildura Magistrates’ Court: James Jones charged over a stealing a pack of cigarettes

A notorious Mildura druggie and crook has again landed himself in trouble after police were called to his property responding to` reports he was wielding two axes in his front yard.

James Jones walking from Mildura Magistrates’ Court.

A notorious Mildura crook was arrested by police after he was seen wielding two axes in his front yard after stealing a pack of cigarettes from a service station.

The Mildura Magistrates’ Court heard that on August 28, James Jones went to a service station and asked the cashier for a packet of cigarettes, and once the cashier had placed them on the counter Jones grabbed them and ran from the store.

Mildura’s James Jones caught weilding two axes in his front yard after stealing a pack of cigarettes.

CCTV footage captured Jones before police were called to Jones’ property because he had been seen armed with two axes. During his police interview he admitted to the theft of the cigarettes

Magistrate Michael Coghlan pointed out that his latest antics were identical to his previous offending.

“This theft from shop is identical to about three other matters where cigarettes have been placed on the counter and you just take them and leave,” he said.

Jones’ defence lawyer Jamie McConnachie asked Mr Coghlan for “mercy” on behalf of her client telling the court that he had a difficult upbringing, having been addicted to methamphetamine since he was a teenager.

“Mr Jones made admissions that he had been addicted to meth from his early teenage years, he admitted that he spends most of his time dealing with his addiction and there are many events he missed out on,” she said.

“I ask your honour for mercy”

However, Mr Coghlan said it was reaching the point of insanity to keep giving Jones corrections orders.

“It’s not working,” he said.

“You bang your head against the wall and it hurts, how many times are you going to keep banging your head against the wall, Mr Jones we are out of things to do with you”.

Mr Coghlan went on to say that despite everyone wanting to keep Indigenous people out of jail they have to help themselves.

“Everyone is keen to keep Aboriginal people out of jail, we can’t help you unless you help yourself,” he said.

Jones was fined $200 for breaching a CCO and another $200 for the shop theft.