Nathan Finlay: Mildura man fined for fighting, possessing drugs

A former Mildura grape farmer was busted with drugs and a knife after he was caught fighting in the street.

A former Mildura grape farmer was busted with drugs, and a knife after he was caught brawling in the street.

Nathan Finlay, 39, was sentenced in the Mildura Magistrates Court on Friday after he pleaded guilty to a string of charges including affray, possessing drugs and possessing a weapon.

The court heard, Finlay got into a fight with an acquaintance near Coles in the Mildura CBD earlier this year, punching the victim in the head five minutes who he said started it.

Earlier this month, Finlay was also pulled over by police while riding his bike without a helmet.

But while he was speaking with police, Finlay dropped a plastic bag on the ground containing meth and cannabis.

He was also found carrying a silver pocket knife.

“I use that knife for work, it isn’t a weapon,” Finlay said.

Magistrate Lance Martin said he had a history of drug abuse and that all offences of this nature were “serious” regardless “if he had started it”.

“There were a large number of people in the vicinity when you committed the affray,” he said.

The magistrate also recognised there were no weapons or third parties involved in the altercation.

Finlay was fined $700 for the affray charge and sentenced to 10 days in custody which he had already served.

He was fined a further $800 for the possession of drugs, $800 for the possession of the pocket knife.