Alleged drug dealer granted bail after he was kicked out of rehab because he didn’t social distance
He was given bail on condition he did four months at a drug rehab centre. But six weeks in he got kicked out because he hated to social distance. Now he’s been bailed again – this time to a home he will share with his wanted girlfriend.
South East
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An alleged drug-dealing car thief has been bailed after he was kicked out of a rehab program because he didn’t like COVID-19 social distancing.
The alleged hoon is being allowed to live at his mum’s address where his heavily pregnant girlfriend – who is wanted on a warrant over drug possession charges – also resides.
Jason Milledge, 26, was freed from remand on February 19 this year on the strict condition he do four months of inpatient drug rehabilitation at Odyssey House.
But just six weeks in he was told to leave the treatment centre because he was aggressive, didn’t take instructions and wouldn’t adhere to social distancing.
Mr Milledge walked from Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, April 30, after his lawyer successfully argued he should be bailed because otherwise he would be unfairly punished by long court delays due to the coronavirus.
The court heard the unemployed man is contesting charges of drug trafficking, speeding, dangerous driving, car theft and drug-driving, and it is unlikely his case would be heard before the end of the year.
Police opposed bail on the grounds he was an unacceptable risk of reoffending, he had failed to abide by previous conditions and he would be living with someone wanted on a warrant.
Mr Milledge’s lawyer told the court his client had mental health issues and ADHD, which went some way towards explaining his behaviour at Odyssey House.
He said he had “struggled with social distancing issues” so had left the centre on March 30, but had since enrolled on a waiting list for counselling, seen his GP and abstained from taking drugs.
He said Mr Milledge’s partner was due to give birth within the next week and he was able to live with his partner, his mum and her partner, and a family friend at his mother’s Clyde home.
The case was stood down for a check on the criminal history of the other residents, and it was discovered his girlfriend was wanted on a warrant for alleged drug possession.
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Magistrate Timothy Gattuso said when he gave bail to Mr Milledge in February on condition he do the Odyssey House treatment, the COVID-19 situation and related delays were not apparent.
He said the time frame for a hearing was “optimistically” at the end of the year at the earliest, and current remand conditions forbid visits of any kind.
“I am concerned he didn’t remain in the (rehab) program, and I am concerned his partner is wanted on a warrant,” Mr Gattuso said.
“But he has the presumption of innocence, the charges are being contested and I’m satisfied he will be supervised.
“If he wasn’t bailed he may not have been able to see his newborn child for eight to 12 months.”
He granted Mr Milledge bail on condition he didn’t drive, didn’t contact witness, abided by a curfew and didn’t take drugs.