Mareeba man John Candido Giacometti, 44, jailed for carrying a loaded shortened weapon

What started as a routine traffic stop in Cairns to investigate a motorbike with a missing number plate has ended in a jail term for the rider after he tried to get away, failed, a Cairns court has heard.

Mareeba man John Candido Giacometti, 44, formerly a tyre fitter, pleaded guilty to 13 drug, weapon and traffic charges in Cairns Magistrates Court. Picture: Brendan Radke

What started as a routine traffic stop in Cairns to investigate a motorbike with a missing number plate has ended in a jail term for the rider after he tried to get away, failed, then was found to be in possession of a loaded shortened firearm, a Cairns court has heard.

Mareeba man John Candido Giacometti, 44, formerly a tyre fitter, pleaded guilty to 13 drug, weapon and traffic charges in Cairns Magistrates Court related to the attempted traffic stop on the night of May 9, 2024.

Magistrate Sandra Pearson sentenced Giacometti to 20 months jail with a parole release date of May 9, 2025.

Defence solicitor Connor Davey said Giacometti was “strangely grateful” for his prison time so far, which had allowed him to get clean from methamphetamines, work in the prison tailor shop, and sign up for courses in welding, spray painting and barista skills.

“Mr Giacometti was consuming an exorbitant amount of drugs in this period (prior to his arrest), but when he’s off the drugs, he puts his mind to good things and is someone who is still positive,” said Mr Davey.

“He has spent his time in custody since being arrested trying to get on with his life.”

Mr Davey said Giacometti had little recollection of the time around his arrest and his memory of why he was carrying the weapon was “vague”.

Police prosecutor Rosalie Veltjens said police in Cairns city noticed a motorbike with a missing back number plate and activated lights and sirens to alert the rider to pull over.

Mareeba man John Candido Giacometti, 44, formerly a tyre fitter, pleaded guilty to 13 drug, weapon and traffic charges in Cairns Magistrates Court

She said Giacometti attempted to get away, but didn’t make it far, skidding off the road some 30 metres away on Upward Street.

After police searched the bike, its details, and Giacometti, they discovered the motorbike was unregistered, uninsured and missing the back plate; Giacometti was a disqualified driver; and he was carrying a modified, loaded weapon, and in possession of drugs and utensils.

He was also wanted for a stealing charge as he’d never returned to pay for fuel that he had been allowed to take on credit.

Police charged him with possessing explosives (the ammunition in the gun), carrying a weapon in a public place while loaded, possessing a shortened firearm, the four driving and traffic offences, three drug-related offences for possessing cannabis and utensils, one stealing, and two other offences of evasion at night while armed, and obstructing police.

Magistrate Pearson said it was obvious from Giacometti’s criminal and traffic history of drug driving that he had struggled with addiction for at least 20 years.

“I deal with a lot of drug addicts and not many of them carry weapons like this,” said Magistrate Pearson.

She noted a minimum 12 months imprisonment was mandated for the charge of possessing a shortened firearm.

“You’re a man who’s had a good education and quite a lot of skills, and you still have family support,” she said.

“I’m told you’ve struggled with drug addition and it’s clearly ruined your life for the past 20 years. It’s likely to be a disaster for you and for the community if you continue.”

Originally published as Mareeba man John Candido Giacometti, 44, jailed for carrying a loaded shortened weapon