Young crook sent to County Court for wielding gun near primary school

A man who sent a Hoppers Crossing primary school into lockdown when he wielded a gun nearby has been told his case must be heard in a higher court.

A young crook who wielded a gun in a suburban street – sending a school into lockdown – has been told his crimes are too serious to be heard in a lower court.

Jackson Delmo, 24, fronted the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to firearm offences and two counts of common law assault.

The court heard the man was leaving a milk bar on Bellbridge Drive in Hoppers Crossing with a mate on September 12 last year, when they were confronted by two other men.

The four began to fight before Delmo, who was on bail, ran to a silver Mercedes to grab what his victims say appeared to be a rifle.

He pointed the firearm at the two men in broad daylight, which prosecutor Fiona Martin said “invoked fear” in not only them but bystanders, who were in the area about 11.30am.

Bellbridge Primary School was locked down as a safety precaution at the height of the drama.

Soon after, Delmo returned to the house he was sharing with his friend, which was located nearby, and shifted the car into the backyard.

Bellbridge Primary School in Hoppers Crossing.

However, he was arrested that afternoon and a search warrant executed.

A loaded handgun, a loaded sawn-off rifle, an imitation handgun and a Taser were seized, as well as ammunition.

Defence lawyer Sai Ranjit on Wednesday attempted to argue his client’s case should stay in the Magistrates’ Court, where he could face a more lenient sentence, and should not be sent up to the County Court.

One of Delmo’s most serious offences, prohibited person possessing a firearm, carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment, but the Magistrates’ Court can only impose two years’ imprisonment for a single offence.

Mr Ranjit told the court Delmo should be sentenced to less than two years behind bars because of his early plea, lack of prior convictions for firearm offences and the fact no injuries were sustained during the altercation.

But Magistrate Rohan Lawrence said there was a “real likelihood” a County Court judge could sentence him to more than two years and rejected the application for summary jurisdiction.

He told the court this was a “serious example” of the offence because the firearm was not only possessed but had that morning “been used for criminal activity” during the altercation.

Delmo, who appeared via video link, was sporting sunglasses on top of his head on Wednesday before Magistrate Lawrence told him to take them off.

No application for bail was made.

Delmo will next front the County Court on June 16 for a plea hearing.