Kain Mclelland: Upper Plenty man allegedly prints fake licence plates

An Upper Plenty man who’s allegedly been printing fake number plates in his bedroom allegedly had 34 sets of car keys hidden away.

Kain Mclelland has been refused bail.

A man has allegedly been printing fake number plates in his bedroom and stealing vehicles from across Melbourne while out on bail.

Kain Ian Mclelland fronted Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, December 2, facing charges including motor vehicle thefts and fraudulently altering registration labels.

The 27-year-old was refused bail, despite his father offering to put up $1000 surety and to accompany him whenever he left the house, with Magistrate Kieran Gilligan deeming Mclelland an unacceptable risk of committing crimes.

Police allegedly found two printers and lamination used for altering number plates, a collection of fake number plates and 34 sets of car keys in Mclelland’s bedroom at his mother’s Upper Plenty home on June 9.

A stolen motorcycle and stolen number plate were allegedly found on the property.

Officer then allegedly found a stolen ute when they returned to the address on September 23.

He was meant to be home in line with a bail curfew, and was allegedly driving a stolen car, which had modified number plates on it, on a suspended licence.

Mclelland was then held in custody after he was allegedly caught trying to steal a motorcycle from a Docklands apartment on November 5, having allegedly driven there in a stolen Mercedes.

Police allegedly found a tool used to clone keys and a mountain bike, power tools and car battery, which were believed to be stolen.

The court heard Mclelland was unemployed and a self-confessed ice addict.

His lawyer pushed for him to be bailed to live with his father, who told the court he wouldn’t let his son go out of the house alone.

The court heard there were also two job opportunities available to Mclelland.

But Magistrate Gilligan pointed out Mclelland had already been on bail, and deemed him “an unacceptable risk of offending” due to his criminal history.