Riley Vallins warned against gangster lifestyle after being busted with weapons and drugs: court

Caught in a stolen car with meth, knives, and cash, a young Mildura offender has received a stern warning about the perils of associating with criminals.

Riley Vallins received a six and ahalf month sentence after being busted with drugs, weapons, and cash in the backseat of a stolen car. Picture: Generic

A young Mildura thug has been warned off behaving like a gangster after pleading guilty to drugs, theft, and weapons charges

Riley Vallins, 21, was arrested, along with his two co-accused, in the back seat of a stolen Holden Commodore on Seventh Street in Mildura in January of this year in possession of a stash of drugs, weapons, and what police described as a house break-in kit.

Among the items found in Vallins’ possession were an extendible baton, several knives, 1.2 grams of bute, three zip-lock bags of meth, and $835 in cash.

Police told the court they believed the cash to be the proceeds of crime.

Before his arrest, Vallins and two other men were caught on CCTV, stealing the VF Holden Commodore from a house in Mildura.

Vallins’ lawyer, Anh Liang, argued that given the small amount of drugs and his young age, he was still a good prospect for rehabilitation and that the time he had already served was sufficient punishment.

The police prosecutor, however, called for a strong sentence. She cited the need for a deterrent, highlighting the prevalence of young men behaving like gangsters in the area.

Ultimately, Magistrate Patrick Southey handed down a 194-day sentence, which was reckoned as time served.

He noted that if Vallins had not pleaded guilty, he would have received a nine-month sentence.

Mr Southey also warned Vallins of the dangers of being lured into a gangster type lifestyle.

Vallins remains in custody, awaiting his next court appearance on other matters.