Tradie back in the gun
Dad had loaded shotgun despite prohibition order, court told
A TRADIE caught with a loaded shotgun in Geelong earlier this year is pleading with a magistrate to not send him back to jail.
John Rieck was busted with the firearm when police attended a Newcomb home about 8.25am on January 7.
The Geelong Magistrates’ Court heard officers also discovered the father of one with ammunition and a homemade d, r ey d e ovenir h pistol. Rieck, 27, of Drysdale, yesterday pleaded guilty to nine charges including being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
The full-time concreter has been on bail since mid-April after he spent 98 days on remand.
Rieck has urged the court to spare him further prison time despite his lengthy criminal record involving weapon and firearm offences.
The court heard Rieck had spent more than 3½ years in jail since 2014, while he already has two prior convictions for being a prohibited person with a firearm.
Prosecutor Jordan O’Toole said the latest crimes occurred just three weeks after Rieck was served with a fresh prohibition order.
His offending on the day began soon after 7am when he drove through red lights at three major intersections along Fyans St, South Geelong. He was a disqualified driver at the time.
Police later located his green Ford Festiva parked outside a residential address in Newcomb, where a shotgun round was visible on a seat inside the vehicle.
Rieck was arrested inside the property, with police discovering the shotgun in a garage along with multiple rounds of .22-calibre ammunition.
Mr O’Toole said several pieces of what appeared to be a homemade firearm were also seized, as well as a small quantity of ice and cannabis.
The prosecution is seeking further jail time on top of the 98 days Rieck spent on remand.
Mr O’Toole said Rieck’s multiple stints in jail during recent years had failed to deter him.
“It’s clear the short terms of imprisonment are simply not working,” Mr O’Toole said.
But defence lawyer Mel Cox said a return to prison would be detrimental for Rieck, arguing he had made progress in addressing personal issues since he was granted bail.
She said her client was “sick to death” of jail and committed to turning his life around. “This is the best he’s done,” she said.
The court heard Rieck had a disadvantaged childhood.
Magistrate Simon Guthrie extended Rieck’s bail until sentencing on July 9.