UPDATE, 1pm: A wanted man caught with prescription drugs and a knife after stealing Textas to write poetry has been fined $300.
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Benjamin Dale, 36, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty in Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Friday to possessing a controlled weapon and prescription drugs without a valid prescription.
Lawyer Jack Rabl said Dale suffered borderline personality and post traumatic stress disorder following distressing events in 2013.
He said Dale was focusing on a fresh start and had forgotten he had been summoned to court following the theft in 2015.
He said his client was using tranquilising medication occasionally after abstaining from illicit drugs for a number of years.
Mr Rabl said the knife was a birthday present that was located in the car as Dale was relocating to Mount Gambier.
Dale was convicted and fined $300.
On July 17, 2015, Dale entered Office Direct in Frankston and stole a number of coloured Textas totaling $33.
An employee observed the theft and rang police. Dale said he took the textas to write poetry and because he liked “pretty things”.
He was charged with theft and summoned to court but did not attend and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Then on Thursday he was clocked travelling at 122k/h between Dunkeld and Hamilton at 7.41pm.
Police intercepted and searched the vehicle, locating two types of prescription medications, including six Valium tablets, and a 35-centimetre long ornamental knife.
Earlier today: A wanted 36-year-old man pulled over speeding near Hamilton last night has been remanded in custody after police found him with prescription medication and armed with a knife.
Warrnambool police Sergeant Tracie Kelly said the driver was intercepted about 7.40pm along the Glenelg Highway at Moutajup, between Dunkeld and Hamilton.
He was speeding at about 20km/h over the speed limit which prompted police action.
"When checks were conducted it was found the man was wanted for thefts from a shop and warrants had been issued for his arrest," Sergeant Kelly said.
"Police members then conducted a search of his vehicle and located two types of prescription medication. He didn't have scripts for those.
"They also found a knife, which is classified as a controlled weapon."
Sergeant Kelly said the man was arrested, interviewed and charged with possession of the medication and the controlled weapon.
"He was remanded overnight in custody by police to appear in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court today for a bail/remand hearing," she said.
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