Stolen guns in car: Cops

Prisoner unimpressed when refused bail

A MAN police claim was found inside a stolen car in which were also allegedly found stolen firearms was obviously unimpressed when he was refused bail and remanded in custody by a Toowoomba magistrate on Tuesday.

“What a load of f***in’ shit!” Ricky James Brodie was clearly heard to say over the watch house monitor when Acting Magistrate Roger Stark refused him bail.

The 35-year-old Brassall man had spent two days in cuspear tody since being arrested by Toowoomba police who allegedly found him asleep in the driver’s seat of a car which had false and different number plates and which had been reported stolen, the court was told.

A police search of the vehicle had allegedly found a number of firearms which police claim had been reportedly stolen from a gun safe on a Lockyer Valley property just days before, police prosecutor Chris Willson told the court when objecting to bail.

Senior Constable Willson said Brodie was in a “show cause” situation as he was already on bail to appear in the Richlands Magistrates Court for charges of unlawfully using a motor vehicle, disqualified driving and possessing illicit drugs.

Brodie appeared via video link from the watch house on 11 charges including stealing a firearm or ammunition, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, disqualified driving, unlawful possession of weapons Category A, B or M, receiving tainted property and wilful damage.

His solicitor Michael Corbin told the court his client was employed as a roofer and scaffolder and his wages were used to support his three young children who lived with family in the Ipswich area.

Mr Corbin submitted the prosecution case was not as strong as it would at first apand it had yet to be established as to whether his client was present or took part in the taking of the firearms.

Brodie’s father-in-law was in court supporting him, he said.

Acting Magistrate Stark said Brodie was already on bail for indictable matters which were similar to the fresh charges.

He refused Brodie bail. Brodie was remanded in custody to appear before the Ipswich Magistrates Court for committal mention on all charges on January 19.