Andrew Riddle stabbed during alleged drug deal in Heidelberg West
Shocked Heidelberg West locals watched on as a man was allegedly stabbed in a car during the middle of the day. But the alleged victim now faces some serious charges after a haul of drugs was allegedly found.
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An alleged drug dealer was repeatedly stabbed in a Heidelberg West street in the middle of the day.
Members of the public called police to the violent scene, taking place in a parked car, before a huge stash of drugs and tick books were allegedly found, Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court has heard.
The alleged dealer, Andrew Riddle, fronted the court to apply for bail on Tuesday, July 14.
The court heard the 28-year-old was stabbed and allegedly found with the drugs in his possession just weeks after he was also allegedly found with a large amount of drugs and charged with drug trafficking.
Leading Senior Constable Andrew Williams said Riddle and his girlfriend were meeting with a male associate in her car on Bell St about noon on May 21 when Riddle and the man allegedly got into a physical altercation.
Police called to the scene by witnesses arrived to find Riddle had been allegedly stabbed multiple times, before he was taken to Northern Hospital.
Police then allegedly discovered 24 prescription tablets and two phones in a bag in the car.
A large bag of methamphetamine was allegedly found in the glove box, alongside a tick book allegedly written in Riddle’s handwriting.
A hidden safe in the driver’s seat allegedly contained 16 prescription tablets, a tally of money amounts in Riddle’s writing, cannabis, a phone and $150.
There were also allegedly two bags of methamphetamine, two bottles of GHB and an ice pipe in the driver’s door.
The court heard police allegedly found multiple photos of Riddle with large amounts of methamphetamine and prescription drugs on the phones, as well as texts from others asking about the price of drugs.
Riddle was arrested for drug trafficking and taken into custody on May 24.
He had also been arrested on May 5 when police allegedly found him in an Uber on Spencer St, Melbourne about 2.40am with two other passengers.
The court heard all three had different stories about where they were going, before 185 prescription tablets, scales, deal bags and two phones were allegedly found on Riddle.
Two small bags of heroin and two bags of methamphetamine were allegedly found where he had been sitting, and another bag of methamphetamine was later found on him at the police station.
The court heard police were worried Riddle would allegedly be looking to recoup what he had lost with the seizure of the drugs if he was released on bail.
Riddle’s lawyer, Molly Deighton, said her client suffered from schizophrenia, proposing he be released on bail so his cases could be heard before the Assessment and Referral Court (ARC).
She said he could be supervised by the Court Integrated Services Program and could live in Salvation Army accommodation.
Magistrate Ian Alger agreed to bail Riddle, who had been in custody for 50 days, with strict conditions so he could be referred to the ARC.
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