A HAMILTON man found with a homemade firearm, ammunition and a steak knife had been released on bail following a burglary only hours before, a court has heard.
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Mitchell Sebbens, 34, was jailed on Monday after pleading guilty to a string of charges, including stealing weapons from a Ballarat East property.
The court heard Sebbens and a co-accused smashed a side window to a Finch Street property on July 10 before stealing a Godfather DVD, Xbox console, watch, blender, three hunting knives and a sword.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Sam Young said a police scanner, torch and balaclava worn by Sebbens was also found after they were arrested following a short pursuit on foot.
Released on bail and told to return to Hamilton, Sebbens was again arrested in the early hours of July 11 in Ballarat.
The court heard police were called to Humffray Street on July 11 following a call about a suspicious male sitting in a car. Stating to police his friend's car had run out of petrol and his friend had gone to his mother’s house to get fuel, Sebbens was moved on.
Senior Constable Young said another call was received by a person staying in the street about 2am.
He said Sebbens asked for fuel from a male staying at a house in the street who brought him a jerrycan of fuel.
The court heard the victim ran from Sebbens after noticing Sebbens’ “hands down the side of his body”. Sebbens later bashed on the front door of the property.
On arrival, police found a loaded handmade firearm and steak knife in the car. A single shot gun shell was also found inside the police vehicle after Sebbens removed it from his clothing.
When asked about the knife, Senior Constable Young said Sebbens told police “I eat steak” and, when asked about the shot gun shell, said it was for “self defence”.
Defence lawyer Karen Chibert said Sebbens suffered a long history of heroin use and relapsed after travelling to Ballarat with a friend.
In relation to bashing on the door, Ms Chibert said Sebbens had become “frustrated” because he wanted to get back to Hamilton but had no money for fuel.
She said Sebbens over the last two years had not been in trouble and had spent the time trying to get off heroin.
Sebbens was sentenced to a four-month prison sentence and fined $500.
