Car shooting accused set to plead guilty

A NORLANE man is set to plead guilty to charges stemming from an incident where a pizza delivery car was sprayed with bullets.

Karl Antonio appeared briefly in custody at Geelong Magistrates’ Court on Friday where his lawyer indicated he would enter pleas later this year.

The 35-year-old was charged with a string of offences after a car was shot at as a Belmont man drove it along Falcon St in Norlane on April 6.

Mr Antonio was arrested 12 days later and charged with offences including reckless conduct endangering life, recklessly causing injury and damaging property with a firearm.

He was also charged with using a firearm in a dangerous manner and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

On Friday, Mr Antonio’s lawyer Stephanie Mawby told the court the case against her client had resolved.

It is expected that some of the charges will be withdrawn as part of a plea deal with prosecutors.

Mr Antonio appeared in the dock wearing a black Everlast T-shirt and regularly gestured to two female supporters who were seated in the public gallery.

During a previous court appearance in April, it was revealed Mr Antonio had been hospitalised following his arrest after sustaining “significant” dog bites that resulted in him receiving 25 stitches to his arm.

Armed Crime Squad detectives swooped on his property after a public appeal for information following the night-time shooting.

Investigators had been told the driver of a Honda was travelling west along Falcon St when he heard a loud bang about 9.45pm.

“The 33-year-old stopped and inspected damage to the front-passenger quarter panel and front passenger window of his silver sedan, before calling police,” a Victoria Police spokeswoman said in April.

“The Belmont man was covered in glass and sustained a bruise to his arm during the incident.”

Mr Antonio was remanded in custody until the plea hearing in August.