Mildura Magistrates’ Court: serial offender locked up after continuous court order breaches

A man copped a stern talking to from a magistrate over his repeat offending saying his lack of progress was “disappointing and frustrating”.

A serial offender has been locked up after landing himself back in Mildura Court.

A Mildura man has been put behind bars by a fed-up magistrate after continuous court order breaches land him back in trouble.

The 39-year-old pleaded guilty in Mildura Magistrates’ Court on October 26 to multiple breaches spanning eight months.

The court heard the man had breached the court order by failing to report for bail, driving unlicensed, for possessing cannabis while on bail, and for breaking a strict restraining order.

The court heard the man had been couchsurfing and abusing drugs prior to and during his offending.

The man had been seen walking down Eleventh St on January 18 with the person he was ordered to stay away from.

He told police he had been couchsurfing with the other person, “fully aware” he’d been doing the wrong thing.

Just six days later the man booked a room at the Central Motel on Tenth St, and was found by police inside with the protected person.

The court heard the pair had been inside the room for a short time before they began arguing, where he pushed the protected person and held them on the ground, punching their arm.

Police were alerted to the incident after a couple in the room next door heard the protected person yelling “you’re breaking my arm”.

The court heard he was later seen walking by police in June, and in a body search, they found 2g of cannabis on his body.

The court heard the man was again seen by police on September 13 driving on Twelfth St.

In interview he immediately admitted to not having a licence.

Magistrate Patrick Southey said he was disappointed at the lack of progress made and showed a “concerning attitude towards his offending”.

“I told you last year jail would be the only option if there wasn’t 100 per cent compliance with the order,” he said.

“I think this time his punishment has to have more teeth. You were given one chance, you blew it comprehensively.”

The man was convicted and imprisoned for one month and will have to complete a 12 month CCO when he is released.

He was fined a total of $836.70 for unlicensed driving and possessing drugs while on bail.