AN accused man with a history of committing dishonesty offences has sworn at a magistrate after being remanded in custody for a month .
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Phillip James Bidmade, 54, of Laverock Road, Warrnambool, unsuccessfully applied for bail in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court and was remanded in custody until August 10 charged with 10 new offences.
Police said that at about 6pm on Tuesday evening a HiAce van was stolen from Warrnambool’s Bromfield Street.
About 9.30pm patrolling police officers saw the van driving along Raglan Parade and followed it in to a Shell service station where they arrested Mr Bidmade.
The van contained $33.50 in coins and a socket set, but there was also jewellery, watches and sunglasses believed to be stolen.
In the van was also a burglary kit containing tools used to commit break-ins and 35 Suboxone tablets, which is a prescription medication.
Mr Bidmade also failed a driver oral fluid drug test and a check revealed he was disqualified from driving for four years in the Warrnambool court on May 18 this year.
The new charges, if proven, will breach an existing 18 month community corrections order.
Police said Mr Bidmade was released from prison on May 18 this year after serving 231 days in custody after pleading guilty to theft and handling stolen goods.
Magistrate Cynthia Toose said the new charges were serious and if proven Mr Bidmade could expect to serve another prison term, especially considering he had 46 pages of prior court convictions.
Mr Bidmade explained he had a bad day on Tuesday and "stuffed up".
He said he had psychological problems, but he was “not dealing with them that well".
Mr Bidmade complained the last time he went to jail his flat was trashed.
The magistrate said the biggest problem Mr Bidmade faced was being caught in a stolen vehicle and he was clearly an unacceptable risk of continuing to commit crimes.
Mr Bidmade said the hearing was "doing his head in", he didn't ever want to come back to court and as he became more aggressive he swore at the magistrate.
His past offending has often involved stealing from vehicles, using stolen bank cards, drug charges and driving offences including failing or refusing driver drug tests.
