Geelong West man James Holland convicted on drug charges after 349g of cannabis seized

A Geelong man twice caught cheating his way into a popular music festival had 349g of cannabis and 16g of magic mushrooms seized from his home months later.

Geelong West man James Holland was caught sneaking into the Golden Plains Music Festival (pictured) twice earlier this year. He was also found with almost 400 grams of cannabis and magic mushrooms at his home months later.

A Geelong man who was twice caught sneaking into a popular Meredith music festival had 349g of cannabis and 16g of magic mushrooms seized from his home months later.

James Holland, 31, of Geelong West, was convicted and fined on two drug possession charges at a court hearing on Wednesday after police executed a search warrant on his home on July 31.

Police prosecutor first constable Alex Turner told the Geelong Magistrates Court officers found three separate jars of marijuana, each containing 61, 41 and 13 grams respectively, and a metal bowl with 234 grams.

A total of 16 grams of magic mushrooms was also found inside the Geelong West home.

Magistrate Franz Holzer told Holland’s counsel he hoped he was “not on the fringe, or in a twilight zone where temptation might cause him to make other decisions.”

“These are sizeable quantities,” he said.

The court was also told how Holland twice tried to gain access to the Golden Plains Music Festival on March 12 without paying for a ticket.

The music festival is held in Meredith. Photo: Steve Benn, Theresa Harrison and Benjamin Fletcher

The festival, held in Meredith across the Labour Day long weekend, is one of the most popular in Victoria.

Prosecutor Turner told the court Holland told police he “didn’t know the festival was on” when asked about the trespassing offence.

His defence lawyer Louis Robertson told the court his client had conceded he should have had a ticket.

“Tickets are around $400 and he wasn’t working at the time,” he said.

That charge, entering private property without lawful excuse, was dismissed.

Magistrate Holzer said it was a “very popular festival” and patrons “pay their way to ensure the sustainability of the event”.

“It’s a great festival, people love it, and I wish I had been,” he said.

“But I haven’t, so I should. But you’ve got to go and If I see you there, make sure you have got a ticket.”

He was convicted on the possession charges and fined $1000.

Originally published as Geelong West man James Holland convicted on drug charges after 349g of cannabis seized