Ricky Bamford denied bail at the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court while facing more than 50 charges included aggravated burglary
A Kilsyth man has been charged with a stack of offences relating to a wild crime spree across Melbourne including allegedly stealing 27 cars.
South East
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A Kilsyth man accused of aggravated burglary and attempted aggravated burglary among more than 50 charges — including allegedly stealing 27 cars — has his bid for freedom thwarted, after failing to give a “compelling reason” to be released on bail.
Ricky Bamford, 27, applied for bail in the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on November 8.
Mr Bamford is facing more than 50 charges related to an alleged five-month crime spree spanning from May to September this year.
Police opposed the bail application, saying Mr Bamford was at risk of “endangering the safety and welfare of the public”.
The court heard Mr Bamford began his alleged spree at Campbellfield Plaza, where police allege he stole numerous sets of registration plates from parked cars.
Mr Bamford has also been accused of allegedly stealing 27 motor vehicles in the five-month period, as well as allegedly taking part in seven aggravated burglaries.
On Friday, a Victoria Police informant told the court investigators believed Mr Bamford had also been involved in numerous car thefts across the southeastern suburbs, as well as the alleged theft of $20,000 in work tools from a tradie’s ute.
The court heard Mr Bamford also allegedly stole a key cutter from a Mister Minit outlet at Endeavour Hills, where CCTV allegedly shows him stealing the $6000 machine.
The court heard Mr Bamford and other co-offenders allegedly attempted to gain access to a property in Templestowe in September, where the victim was home and saw the would-be burglars trying to break in on the CCTV camera.
Mr Bamford was arrested in late September, where police spotted him in an allegedly stolen car with another man.
When investigators approached the pair, they allegedly attempted to flee, but were subdued by cops and pepper sprayed.
The court heard police found an axe, a baseball bat and a knife in the car with the duo, alongside a treasure trove of other allegedly stolen items, methamphetamines and other car keys.
The court heard police were unable to interview Mr Bamford at the time of his arrest as he was “coming down” from GHB and meth.
Mr Bamford’s mother Mena Love told the court she would willingly take her son in if he was released on bail.
“I’m a very honest and transparent person, in the past when he’s done wrong I have notified police,” she said.
“He’s an adult. There is only so much I can do, but I would notify what my concerns are – which I have done in the past.”
Despite saying Ms Love was “one of the best witnesses” he’d ever seen, Magistrate Julian Ayres denied Mr Bamford bail.
“This is an alleged crime spree over the eastern and southeastern suburbs – they’re not trifling matters,” he said.
“There are seven aggravated burglary charges, four burglaries, 17 motor vehicle thefts and four dangerous driving charges.
“I’m not satisfied a compelling reason has been established.”
Mr Ayres adjourned the case to November 22, where Mr Bamford’s legal team have the option to make a second bail application.
He will remain in custody until then.