Stolen car case ‘weak’
A MAGISTRATE slammed the “weak” police case against an alleged Hells Angels bikie and former Titans rising star before releasing him on bail.
Christopher Howard Bloomfield, 24, was arrested by detectives from Taskforce Maxima on Monday in relation to the possession of a stolen Nissan Navara.
Police allegedly found the vehicle, stolen 18 months ago, parked outside Bloomfield’s Robina home, and a key in his possession.
It’s alleged they discovered a $50 note with a white residue on it, which they claim was used as a drug utensil.
In the Southport Magistrates Court yesterday Bloomfield applied for bail on charges of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and the possession of a utensil.
Magistrate Chris Callaghan said he would grant bail as there was a weak prima facie case in respect to both charges.
Mr Callaghan said in a statement a police officer said he saw what appeared to be a white substance on a $50 note.
“That doesn’t establish the offence that it was an item used in connection with the consumption of drugs,” he said.
He further stated that the vehicle was stolen 18 months ago and Bloomfield told police it belonged to a friend of his.
“You were in possession of a key to it but there is little to establish your knowledge as to the fact that it had been stolen,” Mr Callaghan said.
“Police would have to satisfy a jury beyond reasonable doubt that you had knowledge that it had been stolen and you were in possession of it.
“And there’s no suggestion you knew anyway.”
Barrister Gregory McGuire said he considered the utensil offence to be almost trivial.
“The other is obviously a more serious offence being unlawful use of a motor vehicle,” he said.
“In the circumstances obviously the strength of the case is one of the considerations your honour has to take into account.”
Bloomfield was released on bail on the condition that he report to police daily, that he not apply for a passport and not approach an international airport.
He will next appear in court on September 18.
Bloomfield’s solicitor Adam Magill said the offences were “ludicrous”.
“The police are digging very deep here just to solidify some very loose, weak case against my client,” he said.
“This has no chance of standing up in court.”