Daniel Piccolotto: Preston ex boxer jailed for ramming police
A former pro-boxer who didn’t play fair when police arrested him in Preston has taken to practicing Islam in prison on his journey to reform.
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A former pro-boxer who rammed a police car after he was caught driving around Preston with a loaded gun and a huge stash of drugs and cash has been jailed.
Daniel Piccolotto, 33, was sentenced to a minimum of two years and nine months’ jail before the County Court on Friday, having pleaded guilty to charges including trafficking a commercial quantity of meth, possessing a firearm and recklessly exposing an emergency worker to risk by driving.
The court heard police tried to pull Piccolotto over after they watched him get behind the wheel of a car with a black satchel in Victoria St, Preston about 2.30pm on July 10, 2019.
The police activated their lights and sirens and pulled up in front of and behind Piccolotto to stop him driving away.
But Piccolotto wasn’t ready to concede defeat, and reversed back into a police car, causing it
$2863.16 worth of damage.
He was then arrested and police found a loaded handgun in his bag, as well as 104.9g of meth, $3000 cash, scales, deal bags and an ice pipe.
Police then found Piccolotto was hoarding another seven mobile phones at his Preston home.
The court heard Piccolotto had relevant prior convictions, including for firearm offences.
Piccolotto’s lawyer Luke Barker told the court his client had fallen into meth addiction and crime at age 25 when his professional boxing career came to an end.
The court heard the qualified carpenter was the father of a four-year-old son, had a supportive family and aspired to become a tattoo artist and be the sole carer for his child upon his release from jail.
It was further heard Piccolotto had turned to practicing Islamic faith in prison.
Judge Trevor Wraight said Piccolotto’s criminal history meant the only option for sentence was a jail term with a non-parole period.
Piccolotto was sentenced to a maximum of fours years’ jail, having already served 383 days.
His licence was disqualified for two years.
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