A Kandos man was fined a total of $5,060 for charges of larceny, custody of stolen property, growing and possessing cannabis - all resulting from two search warrants executed on his home.
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Paul Large of Buchanan Street, Kandos, was also sentenced for failing to appear in Bathurst Local Court for the two matters on Monday, March 2, 2020, in accordance with his bail.
At some time between 6pm, Sunday, June 17, 2018, and 8am the following morning, a number of items were stolen from a work site in Davies Road, Kandos. These were; an angle-grinder; tool-belt; two pouches, one with a hammer holder; and support braces.
On Monday, July 9, police executed a search warrant on Large's residence and found the stolen items in a toolbox inside the backyard shed. He claimed that some of the tools were "planted" to "set [him] up" and that he owned the others.
Officers also seized a total of 63g of cannabis leaf from three locations in the shed and bedroom. As well as a cannabis plant from the shed.
When Large was interviewed by police at a later date, he brought along a number of receipts for the items that he claimed he owned. However, officers noted they were dated after the search warrant was executed.
On Thursday, February 28, 2019, another warrant was carried out on his residence.
Nine cannabis plants were seen growing under a shade cloth in the yard, four of which were around 1.8m in height the others under a metre. Police noted that all appeared to be healthy and had been watered regularly.
Inside the backyard shed they found a quad-bike, concealed under plastic sheeting. A check revealed that it was reported stolen from Bylong in June 2018 and was valued $8,000-10,000.
In Mudgee Local Court on Wednesday, Magistrate David Day imposed the thousands in fines "as an alternative to jail". And rather than taking up police resources to find and arrest the 46-year-old, who wasn't before court.
"Having regard to his lengthy - and varied - criminal record," his honour said. "Including being in possession of property that isn't his...and an appalling record of not showing up to court."
