Michael Phillips appeared before the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing a prohibited weapon, and one count each of unlicensed driving and using an unregistered car, in addition to a breach of a community corrections order.

The court Phillips was arrested on outstanding warrants when police discovered the handmade taser, which was made from a modified phone, in his possession.

He had also been found in possession of another prohibited weapon three days before, this time it was a handle of an extendable baton.

The same day he was also charged with unlicensed driving and using an unregistered car.

Phillips told police the taser “just came into his possession” and he did not know who the handle belonged to.

Phillips’ lawyer told the court her client struggled with an addiction, but he had not touched alcohol or drugs since his son had an accident in September – two months after the offences occurred.

She said Phillips made a promise to his son, who is now a quadriplegic, he would not use illicit substances again and would care for him. 

She said any imprisonment imposed would then also present hardship for his son who needed constant care.

Magistrate Ronald Saines told Phillips he had the ability to impose three months’ imprisonment on the breach of community corrections order (CCO).

But instead he varied the order, which meant Phillips now needs to begin it again. He also increased the number of community work hours to 100.

Mr Saines then placed Phillips on a second CCO over the four charges, with orders to complete another 100 hours over a 12-month period.

In total Phillips will need to complete 200 hours.