Bail refused for man who allegedly stole guns

He is facing charges of burglary, theft of firearms, possessing two or more firearms, possessing a handgun while a prohibited person, possessing three longarm firearms while a prohibited person, theft, possessing cartridge ammunition and failing to comply with a police direction to provide access to his phone.

The court heard Mr Scott and a co-accused stole a gun safe from a Shepparton house early on August 29 last year, after they allegedly used a chainsaw to cut around the wall and floor it was bolted to.

Inside the safe were a .308 Ruger Scout rifle, one BRNO CZ 9mm handgun, a .45 calibre/410 gauge Taurus Circuit Judge handgun/shotgun hybrid, a Crosman air rifle, hunting knife and machete, as well as 9mm, .45 calibre and 410 ammunition.

Police allege the pair took the safe to a third man’s house where they cut it open and removed the guns.

Police allege Mr Scott and others travelled to Melbourne with the guns on August 29, 2021.

While there it is alleged Mr Scott sent photos of the guns to another man via encrypted messaging and that man organised the sale of the guns to be carried out the next morning.

On August 30 Mr Scott went to Corio where police allege he agreed with a buyer an exchange of one-and-a-half ounces of methamphetamines, $1000 cash, a litre of GHB and two nights’ accommodation for the guns.

The guns were handed over, but Mr Scott did not receive anything in return for them after a dispute with the buyer.

Documents filed with the court told of how plaster and timber fragments believed to have come from the plaster still attached to the gun safe when it was stolen, were found in the boot of a car that was hired by an associate of Mr Scott’s on August 15 and found at Mr Scott’s house on September 4.

The court was also told of vehicle tracking in the hire car, as well as phone records for all the accused.

Police informant Detective Senior Constable Leon Schroeter of Shepparton Crime Investigation Unit told the court police believed Mr Scott was a risk of committing further offences while on bail, interfering with witnesses and endangering the safety and welfare of others.

He told how Mr Scott had difficulty in complying with court orders, with priors including five counts of failing to answer bail, committing indictable offences on bail, contravening bail conditions and breaching community corrections orders.

When asked about outstanding forensic evidence still needed for the matter, Det Sen Constable Schroeter said he believed it was still a strong case even without DNA evidence.

In applying for bail, Mr Scott’s barrister Ashlea Patterson said the case against her client was circumstantial, there would likely be a long delay in the matter finalising in court and Mr Scott could be bailed to live with his mother and stepfather in Wallan.

She also argued he could be put on court integrated services program bail, have a curfew and stay away from Shepparton.

Magistrate Marita Altman refused bail, saying Mr Scott had “breached pretty much every order that can be made by a court”.

She also said it was a “strong circumstantial case” and she was not satisfied that exceptional circumstances were made out for Mr Scott to be granted bail.