A Ballarat man accused of fleeing police and crashing a car containing nearly 100 grams of ice has been banned from attending the municipal boundaries of Cobden and Warrnambool.
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Lachlan Mitchell, 25, of Wendouree, appeared in Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
The court heard the man had an extensive criminal record that involved lengthy periods in jail for most of his adult life.
That history includes an ice-fuelled armed robbery that saw Mr Mitchell being chased by police across the south-west and ended in him being jailed for four years.
On Tuesday Mr Mitchell appeared in court via video-link charged with drug and driving offences, including trafficking methamphetamine.
During a bail application, his mother told the court that Mr Mitchell was "a model son" until he consumed drugs and his life spiralled.
She said he seemed to get in trouble when he associated with certain people in Warrnambool and Cobden and urged the court to release her son on bail with strict conditions, including he not attend the south-west towns.
Barrister Chris Triscott said that if released on bail, Mr Mitchell would have stable employment and mental health treatment.
He said Mr Mitchell served the entirety of the four-month jail sentence handed down in 2017, despite being eligible for parole after two-and-a-half years.
"He came out without parole and had no support around him," Mr Triscott said.
"This is a person who needs support in the community."
Magistrate Mark Stratmann said the alleged offending was "extremely serious" and that if Mr Mitchell was found guilty, he would face a significant term of imprisonment "well in excess of 12 months".
But he said the man had shown compelling reasons why he should be released from custody, including extensive support in the community, treatment available through the Court Integrated Services program and employment.
Mr Mitchell was granted bail with strict conditions, including a 9pm to 7am curfew, that he not drive a motor vehicle or ur use drugs, and not attend the municipal boundaries of Cobden and Warrnambool.
He will appear in court again at a later date.
Mr Mitchell was arrested on March 13 after allegedly fleeing police before crashing his car near the Warrnambool cemetery.
He fled the scene and a search of the vehicle allegedly uncovered 99.95 grams of methamphetamine, 30 grams of cannabis, two-and-half ecstasy pills and two vials of liquid steroids.
The ice was allegedly packaged and ready for sale.
The court heard that if the man was found in possession of an extra .05 grams of methamphetamine, he would have been charged with trafficking in a commercial quantity.
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