Court reins in young tradie
A YOUNG tradie from Geelong has some explaining to do to his boss after he was remanded in custody over repeated breaches of court orders.
Alexander Hope-Mckeown was meant to be at his plumbing job yesterday, but instead found himself in a courtroom dock pleading for his release.
The 23-year-old was denied bail after the Geelong Magistrates’ Court heard allegations that he had thumbed his nose at multiple orders imposed on him by authorities.
Those included requirements for him to attend court while on bail, as well as a ban from attending any licensed premises in Victoria.
Police arrested Mr HopeMckeown at his Norlane home on Wednesday night as they investigated his presence at Home House nightclub on July 28.
Prosecutor Senior Constable Kylie Jane told the court an exclusion order was in place against the defendant, which barred him from attending venues that served alcohol.
She said officers were alerted to Mr Hope-Mckeown’s attendance at the nightclub as they investigated a dancefloor brawl involving several men.
While the accused had his shirt ripped and was among several people ejected from the venue, he has not been charged in relation to the fight.
However, he is facing three charges of contravening an alcohol exclusion order, along with multiple counts of failing to appear in court on bail.
Sen-Constable Jane opposed Mr Hope-Mckeown being released on bail again, arguing he had shown a “complete disregard” for the orders against him.
Defence lawyer Simon O’Halloran said the plumber had prioritised his job with an airconditioning company over attending court hearings.
Pushing for bail, Mr O’Halloran said his client’s night in custody had been a “wake-up call”, while he proposed a number of strict conditions that could be imposed upon release. But Magistrate Brian Clifford was not convinced and refused bail, citing concerns that Mr Hope-Mckeown would fail to attend court.
Mr Hope-Mckeown was remanded in custody until his next court hearing on Tuesday.