Damien John Wode pleads guilty on three charges, while denied bail on 50 other drug-related matters
A Warwick man accused of nearly 50 offences, including drug supply, will remain behind bars after pleading guilty to four other offences.
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“A risk of reloading” was the prime concern a magistrate had over releasing an alleged Warwick offender on bail, after he prepares to face more than 50 drug-related charges.
Damien John Wode pleaded guilty to three charges on Wednesday, November 29 at Warwick Magistrates Court, appearing by video from custody.
The man pleaded guilty to one count of stealing and two charges of breaching bail, at dates spanning from June to August, 2023.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Steve de Lissa detailed the first offence, on June 15, in which officers attended a bail address with vehicles park outside.
Raising a red flag with officers, they entered the abode, to find two people which Wode was not supposed to have contact with due to legal reasons, located hiding throughout the house in the pantry and bedroom cupboard.
Months later, on August 12, Wode broke another bail condition, being that he was required not to leave the bail address between 8.30pm and 7am.
The man was busted at 10pm, after police intercepted the vehicle for an RBT and identified Wode in the vehicle.
On 28 July, Wode was identified as the man who stole from Supercheap Auto, stealing $57.28 worth of goods including paint and car parts, concealing them in his clothing.
Wode was noted by the prosecutor as having “no prior criminal history” before this offending.
The former postal worker’s defence lawyer, Bruce Affleck told the court the man had a strong work history, prior to the period of offending.
It was said Wode had “fallen into a lifestyle” but had since distanced himself from those people, and learnt a “true lesson” being in custody.
Magistrate Virginia Sturgess said due to the fact the man had no criminal history the matter could be resolved with a fine.
Wode was ordered to pay the value of the stolen car parts as restitution, and was convicted and not further punished.
No conviction was recorded for these offences.
However, that was not the end of the man’s legal woes as the man stands accused of a number of drug related matters, including 46 charges of supplying dangerous drugs.
Police will allege Wode, over the course of April, 2022 to April, 2023, both possessed and supplied meth.
The prosecution alleged when previously released on bail, this activity “immediately resumed” and opposed bail for Mr Wode while he faces the further charges.
The magistrate was quick to agree, saying the prosecution’s argument against bail was “strong”, citing phone message intercepts in which Mr Wode said “he would risk his bail to reload” suggesting he would “obtain more drugs to sell despite being on bail.”
The prosecution will also allege Mr Wode was located with amphetamine in excess of the schedule three amount and a “mobile phone containing numerous messages indicating the selling of amphetamine”.
“In light of the serious charges I am not satisfied with the charges and see him as an unacceptable risk, bail is denied,” Ms Sturgess said.
Mr Wode will remain in custody until his next court date.
The matter will next return to court on January 24, 2024.
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Originally published as Damien John Wode pleads guilty on three charges, while denied bail on 50 other drug-related matters
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