A DRIVER caught with 3.2 grams of ice just days after appealing against the severity of a five-month jail term has been refused bail.
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Leigh Anthony James, 28, of Janlor Drive, was remanded in custody until September 11 charged with possession of a trafficable amount of ice.
James was only released from jail last week after appealing against the severity of a five-month jail sentence, imposed for family violence-related offending.
Warrnambool police opposed James getting bail, saying he was an unacceptable risk of continuing to offend or comply with bail conditions.
Senior Constable Stuart Revell said said James was seen driving in Raglan Parade at 1.45am Thursday and he pulled into the car park of a fast food restaurant.
There police started a search with James’ consent but when they opened the boot James pushed it close and became very nervous.
In a sunglasses case in the boot, officers found 3.2 grams of ice and a blue ice pipe.
James told police he didn’t know the drugs were in the boot of the car.
“I didn’t know it was there. I only got out on Thursday last week,” he said.
He was arrested, interviewed, charged and held in custody to appear in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court which happened late on Thursday.
Senior Constable Revell said James was jailed on charges that came out of a break-up with his former partner including assault, causing damage and making threats to kill.
He said that offending started in August last year and continued until he was remanded in custody on April 26.
James appealed against the severity of his jail sentence last week after spending about three months in custody.
James said he would be fighting the new charges because “honestly I didn’t know the drugs were in the car”.
He said he had obtained work and was due to start a job painting on Monday after getting a uniform, boots and brushes.
He said his priority was to comply with his current community corrections order, including attending his men’s behaviour change classes and to see his children.
James said he was driving the car, which was his older brother’s because his own vehicle had no registration.
Magistrate Ann McGarvie refused bail saying that James was an unacceptable risk of offending.
She remanded his in custody until September 11.