A wee secret in the bedroom blows man’s chances of bail

THE mother of a man accused of using a fake penis to pass urine tests says she was “proud” of what he was achieving until he allegedly breached his bail conditions.

Aaron Burnie, 28, unsuccessfully applied for bail at the Geelong County Court yesterday.

Mr Burnie is facing a trial in the same court in February for his alleged involvement in a violent shootout in Geelong in March 2016.

On Thursday, the Leopold man lost a separate attempt in the Magistrates’ Court to get bail. The hearing was told Mr Burnie was arrested and taken into custody on October 9 after allegedly leading police on a car chase before he crashed in Geelong West.

A subsequent search of his mother’s home — where he was living under strict bail conditions — uncovered drugs, scales, cash, along with a fake penis and bottle of urine.

In court yesterday, Tania Lefers said her son had been taking steps to reform his life following drug problems.

“He was interacting well (with me),” she said. “We spent some beautiful moments together.”

Ms Lefers said Mr Burnie appeared to be off drugs while he was living with her, adding she was unaware there were drugs and scales in his bedroom, which he shared with his girlfriend.

“I’m proud of what he was achieving,” she said. “He’s trying so hard and it’s not easy.”

Psychologist Lisa Jackson also gave evidence about her interactions with Mr Burnie during three appointments between August and September.

“I was observing some positive attitude changes,” Ms Jackson said. “He was saying he hadn’t used drugs and was quite motivated to maintain drug abstinence.”

But Judge Duncan Allen said Mr Burnie had “blown” his chance at bail with his alleged actions which led to his arrest.

“It’s mind boggling he behaved in this way on the day,” he said. “He blew it. He absolutely blew it.

“The risk (of releasing him) is too serious and unacceptable, in my view, which is a great shame because he was doing well.”

Mr Burnie was remanded in custody until his next court appearance in February.