Mildura man Zac Tatchell allegedly caught driving with morphine tablets while already on appeal bail

A Mildura man has allegedly been caught behind the wheel with morphine tablets and a glass pipe — just months after he was granted appeal bail.

Zac Tatchell, already on appeal bail, was allegedly found in possession of 16 morphine tablets. Picture: Supplied

A Mildura man already out on appeal bail was allegedly busted behind the wheel with drugs in his pocket, flouting multiple bail conditions, a court has heard.

Zac Tatchell fronted Mildura Magistrates’ Court seeking bail after allegedly being busted by police early on Friday morning behind the wheel of a car, breaking no less than four of his bail conditions.

The court heard police spotted Mr Tatchell at 2.30am on Friday allegedly driving a white Holden sedan.

Police claim Mr Tatchell and his passenger appeared to conceal something upon noticing police, quickly exiting the vehicle and attempting to walk away.

Mr Tatchell denied having any knowledge of he morphine pills according to police. Picture: File photo

A subsequent vehicle search allegedly uncovered a glass pipe and lighter in the footwall.

Police allegedly found 16 morphine tablets in Mr Tatchell’s pocket during a personal search, which he claimed no knowledge of.

“Why would I consent to a search if I knew they were in there,” Mr Tatchell allegedly told police.

Mr Tatchell’s lawyer Rachel Storey told the court her client had co-operated fully with police, explaining he had been sleeping rough following an argument with his mum.

Police prosecutor Raef Oliver opposed bail, citing Mr Tatchell’s repeated alleged offending despite already being on strict conditions.

Mr Tatchell got up and left halfway through Magistrate Michael Coghlan’s reasoning for not granting him bail.

“There are not many, if any, conditions that would reduce the risk should he get bail,” Mr Oliver said.

Mr Tatchell told Magistrate Michael Coghlan he had merely been reversing the car for a friend.

“Whether you were driving one metre or 100m, it doesn’t matter,” Mr Coghlan replied.

Mr Tatchell stormed from the dock towards the cells before Mr Coghlan could finish his decision not to grant bail.

When Mr Tatchell turned around to remonstrate, the magistrate dismissed him.

“Off you go. I will finish without you. Keep going,” Mr Coghlan said.

Mr Tatchell will next face court on June 11.