Career crim lashes out on his way back to jail

ONE of Geelong’s worst drivers has delivered a foul-mouthed spray in court after being jailed.

Luke Berg, 32, has racked up more than 50 convictions for driving without a valid licence during his adult life.

The Norlane man added another seven in Geelong Magistrates’ Court yesterday as he was jailed for 10 months on various charges, including possessing ammunition.

After learning the severity of his sentence, Berg pleaded for magistrate Ann McGarvie to reconsider.

“Can you please give me less than that? That’s ages,” he said via video link.

When Ms McGarvie said the sentence was not up for negotiation, Berg snapped and said: “I accept it, but what’s the f---ing point of trying to change (my life)?”

The court heard Berg has never held a licence and had 42 pages of prior criminal history.

His lawyer Michael Brugman said Berg had spent most of his adult life in prison. “It is effectively a life sentence by instalments,” Mr Brugman said.

Berg’s latest charges came after he was caught behind the wheel in Geelong’s northern suburbs between May 13 last year and New Year’s Eve.

On September 19, he tested positive to ice and cannabis after being pulled over in a car without numberplates.

On two other occasions, police chose not to intercept Berg as they had information he may be carrying a firearm.

A subsequent search of his home uncovered three shotgun cartridge shells.

He was arrested at Corio Village shopping centre on January 10 after attempting to run from police.

The court heard Berg had an intellectual disability and had struggled with pain since being shot in the back several years ago.

In jailing Berg, Ms McGarvie said he had “extremely low” prospects for rehabilitation. She disqualified him from driving for a further 18 months and fined him $3000.