Rowville crime: Nemanja Ljuboja faces deportation after pleading guilty in court

A man who arrived in Australia as a child refugee is facing being sent back to Croatia after a slew of crimes.

Ljuboja will be sentenced later this month.

A refugee who escaped Croatia as a child in the 1990s during its War of Independence could be sent back as an adult after racking up a string of offences, including drug possession.

Nemanja Ljuboja, 35, pleaded guilty to more than 30 drug and theft charges at the Ringwood Magistrates’ Court during two hearings in June and July.

The charges, which date from January 2020 to March 2021, include drug possession, theft, car theft, burglary, deception, fraud and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

Court documents show offences include possession of poisons; cephalexin — an antibiotic, pregabalin — an epilepsy medication, nitrazepam — used to treat severe anxiety, and chronic pain relievers buprenorphine, oxycodine and tramadol.

The court heard during a raid on the crook’s Rowville house in March 2021, detectives retrieved stolen items, drugs, a drug ledger, and also knuckle dusters, an imitation firearm and ammunition.

The court heard on another occasion he was asked to accompany officers to a police station for a breath test but he refused.

In a conversation with police, captured on the officer’s body-worn camera, Ljuboja’s reason for the refusal was: “I don’t really want to go. Who wants to go to a police station?”

Ljuboja’s defence lawyer Chris Oldham told the court his client’s visa had been cancelled because of his substantial criminal record.

The court heard when Ljuboja — who has been on remand since March 3 — finishes his sentence he will be moved to immigration detention where he will appeal any potential deportation.

Mr Oldham said Ljuboja was born in Croatia and came to Western Australia as a displaced person in the early 1990s.

“He had a very difficult upbringing … it was not a happy house, there was a lot of family violence and after his parents separated when he was four, he went to live with his grandparents,” Mr Oldham said.

He said Ljuboja has not seen his younger sister or mother since (the seperation) and was then transported to Australia to live with his alcoholic father.

Mr Oldham said Ljuboja spent a lot of his youth living on the street and couch surfing, where he turned to crime.

After managing to finish Year 10, he was able to find work in retail and construction, but his life took a downward spiral after a Victorian business venture went under and Ljuboja turned again to drugs, Mr Oldham said.

He said Ljuboja’s offences were largely drug and property related to fund his habit or from being under the influence.

Mr Oldham said Ljuboja had two young daughters, aged 10 and 3, who both live in Victoria.

“It’s a source of pain to him that his offending and incarceration has put limits on his involvement with his children,” he said.

“He’s acutely aware of what a lack of stable parental influence had on his life and he doesn’t wish the same for his children.”

Magistrate Susan Armour said she found the charges proven.

“I am going to need to think about these matters, consider your client’s priors and take into account the allowance I will make, because clearly a straight sentence is the only viable option,” Ms Armour said.

“I will take into account he will not be eligible for parole.”

Ljuboja will return before Ms Armour for sentencing at the Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on July 20.