Weapons cache in car claim

A NORLANE man had a tomahawk, curved dagger and butterfly knife in the front console of his car when police pulled him over.

Paul Billings, 44, made a self-represented application for bail when he appeared in the Geelong Magistrates’ Court on Thursday after being arrested hours earlier in Norlane.

Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Denise Frame told the court that police allege Mr Billings went to a Corio wreckers on Wednesday afternoon and took two registration plates from different vehicles and fixed them to his own unregistered car.

Mr Billings was allegedly driving his black Commodore when he was intercepted by police about 2.40am on Thursday.

Sen-Constable Frame said police checks revealed the number plates were stolen. Further searches of the car uncovered a tomahawk, curved dagger and butterfly knife in the front console, and a small bag containing two grams of a white crystalline substance.

Mr Billings was arrested and taken to the Geelong police station where he was charged with several offences including theft, driving while disqualified and possessing prohibited weapons.

Applying for bail, Mr Billings told the court he was driving his car because he wanted to sell it and needed to move it to another location.

Magistrate Leonard Brear said Mr Billings had done nothing to convince the court he should be granted bail.

Mr Billings was remanded in custody to appear via videolink on November 19.