By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
AN ICE addict accused of stealing cars and being involved in police pursuits has been bailed to live in a Pakenham house – where drug paraphernalia was found two weeks ago.
Ashley Sullivan, who had been in custody for the previous seven days, was granted bail at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Monday on the condition that he remained at the Rachael Court residence.
Other conditions included a night curfew, daily reporting to police, a ban on drug use and undergoing treatment for ‘ice’ use under a CREDIT bail program.
Magistrate Jack Vandersteen asked defence lawyer Effie Lagos and Corrections Victoria if there were alternative residences.
“You’re asking me to bail him to an address where there’s a landlord – we’re not sure who it is,” Mr Vandersteen said.
“Drug paraphernalia has recently been found.
“He’s only been there two weeks which is consistent with couch surfing. He has been transient up to this point.”
Corrections Victoria told the court that any rooming-house accommodation would be temporary and subject to delay.
The magistrate said he’d grant bail due to Sullivan’s young age, his lack of prior convictions, available drug treatment and his offending being not likely to lead to an immediate jail term.
“Ice is a very difficult drug. If you don’t engage with (Corrections Victoria), ice will bring you back to court quickly.
“Despite the tattoos on your neck, I get the impression that you’re a bright and capable person. You’ve just got sucked into this world.”
In a submission to the court, police argued that Sullivan was an unacceptable risk to public safety if released on bail because of his “propensity to steal motor vehicles and then engage police in pursuits”.
Police accused Sullivan with stealing four cars from car yards and a business car park in Berwick, Dandenong and Narre Warren as well as four petrol drive-offs in July and August.
He was allegedly twice pursued in stolen cars by police.
The pursuits were called off due to a risk to public safety, with Sullivan allegedly reaching a speed of 150 km/h in an 80 zone and going through red lights.
It is alleged that one of those cars was found on fire in the early hours of the next day in a Lyndhurst residential street.
Police also argued that Sullivan, being unemployed, was at risk of re-offending to fund his ‘ice’ drug habit of about 0.25 grams a day.
The applicant had also allegedly failed to appear for three previous matters at court while on bail in the past year.
Police allegedly arrested Sullivan with a bag of amphetamines on him at the Rachael Court house on 9 September.
Police say two stolen cars and other allegedly stolen property were also found.
One of Sullivan’s co-residents told the court that when she and Sullivan moved into the house two weeks ago, she insisted on a clean-up including getting rid of a “glass pipe” that was found in the house.
Detective Senior Constable Anthony Williams of Casey CIU told the court that Sullivan had been “quite compliant, remorseful and co-operative” after his arrest and had “wanted to turn his life around”.
Sullivan was bailed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
