Zac Tatchell caught with drugs & fake plates in Mildura wins appeal bail amid warning about who he hangs out with

A Mildura man caught with a pink bumbag stuffed with meth and GHB has been granted appeal bail, despite a magistrate warning him about his criminal ties.

Zac Tatchell has been granted appeal bail after pleading guilty to drugs and driving charges in February. Picture: Supplied

A Mildura crook found unresponsive on a Red Cliffs road with a bumbag stuffed with meth and GHB has been granted bail—despite a magistrate warning him about his criminal mates.

Zac Tatchell fronted Mildura Magistrates’ Court, via AV link from prison, seeking bail as he awaits his County Court appeal on the sentence of possessing methamphetamine, cannabis, and GHB, driving while disqualified, and using cloned number plates.

Tatchell pleaded guilty before the same court and magistrate in February.

The court heard Tatchell’s entire sentence would be served by the time his appeal would have a chance to be heard in the Mildura County Court circuit.

“There is no prospect of Mr Tatchell getting his appeal heard on this circuit … and the next circuit is in July when the sentence would be served,” Magistrate Patrick Southey said.

Tatchell was found with a pink bumbag containing methamphetamine and more than 100ml of GHB.

In July 2024, Tatchell removed number plates from a ute he knew and later returned them to a mutual friend, claiming he had “found” them. He was later seen driving a ute with those same plates and initially told police he had borrowed them before refusing to discuss the matter further, calling it “family s**t.”

Weeks later, Tatchell was found unresponsive on a Red Cliffs road. He was shirtless and had a pink bumbag containing drugs and digital scales. A search of his car uncovered nearly 10g of cannabis, 2.4g of methamphetamine, and 100ml of GHB.

Tatchell’s lawyer noted none of his client’s offending was “personal violence” offending, adding Tatchell sought to be bailed to his mum’s house in Mildura.

Tatchell was given a stark warning to reconsider who he associates with as he was granted appeal bail by Magistrate Patrick Southey.

“Mum won’t have a bar of it,” Tatchell told Mr Southey directly, referring to any form of offending or drug use.

Mr Southey granted appeal bail and told Tatchell to be careful who he associated with while he was on bail.

“You know all the wrong people in Mildura. Your peer group is incredibly influential. Be careful who you choose to associate with,” Mr Southey said.

Tatchell was bailed on strict instructions not to drive, to live at his mother’s house in Mildura and to abide by a curfew between 9pm and 6am. He was also ordered to be drug tested regularly.

His appeal is likely to be heard in the July County Court circuit in Mildura.