By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A HEALESVILLE “serial pest” who has been charged over multiple offences including petrol drive-offs, car theft, dangerous driving and excessive speeding has been granted bail.
Jake Macey, 22, faced Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 16 May after being arrested in Pakenham over an alleged petrol drive-off in an unregistered car that morning.
Police told the court that Macey, who made admissions, was on bail at the time over four police briefs to be heard at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court in September and October.
The Ringwood matters included theft of a car, number plates and petrol around the Healesville, Lilydale and Yarra Junction areas, as well as speeding and failing to obey police.
Magistrate Barry Schultz was told on 16 May that there were a further three matters involving failing to appear on bail, driving and theft charges still to be processed by police.
Mr Schultz said it would not be fair to keep Macey in custody for months, given he was unlikely to receive more than a community-corrections order.
“It seems to me he’s 22 years old and being a serial pest as much as anything else.
“It would be contrary to the interests of justice to have him in custody till (September and October).
“It’s a matter of looking at the conditions of bail.”
As part of his bail, Macey was ordered to live with a close relative in Healesville, required to report to police three times a week and was subject to a night curfew.
Macey asked Mr Schultz if the curfew applied to weekends.
Mr Schultz replied: “Absolutely it does. You may not like that but you have got a choice of remaining in custody if you wish.
“This is the last time he’ll get bail. Given the series of offending… he’s got to realise it’s got to stop.”
Macey was allowed to continue driving as part of his bail conditions, in order to get to his pallet-packing job.
“Public transport in Healesville not flash,” Mr Schultz noted.
Healesville police Sergeant Stewart Thomson said the Yarra Valley offences dated back to mid-to-late April, and that Macey was due to appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on 13 September.
Macey was bailed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 9 June.
