Jett-Allan Webster, 19, of Shepparton, pleaded guilty in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court to possessing a prohibited weapon, possessing a controlled weapon and two counts of possessing cannabis.
Prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Anna Hanlon told the court police found Webster was carrying a butterfly knife and two canisters with cannabis in them when they searched him on June 20 last year.
Webster initially told police the cannabis was medicinal and he had picked it up “for a mate”; however, he later admitted it was not medicinal cannabis, but still said it belonged to a friend.
He also told police he had the knife on him because “it’s Shepparton”, Leading Sen Constable Hanlon said.
The court heard, on a separate occasion, Webster was the passenger in a car that was pulled over for speeding on September 11 last year.
He had a knife in his jumper, and also had seven ziplock bags containing a total of 119g of cannabis, including the bag weights.
In a police interview he said the knife was “for protection” and that the cannabis was for “personal use”, Leading Sen Constable Hanlon said.
Webster’s solicitor Luke Slater told the court his client had a “fairly complex life”, especially during his childhood, and was homeless at the time, but stayed with his mother from time to time.
Mr Slater said Webster now had a job and a place to live.
In fining Webster $400 but not recording a conviction, magistrate Simon Zebrowski said he was worried about Webster and the reasons he felt he needed to carry a weapon.
“My concern is I don’t know what he’s gone through in his life,” Mr Zebrowski said.
“He’s clearly on edge about something. That’s why he has the knives.”
Mr Zebrowski said he was worried about underlying issues Webster had and thought he needed to address them.
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