A MUSIC teacher, who developed a drug habit after his business closed, had firearms and stolen building materials and equipment hidden in a shed on Gateway Island a court heard yesterday.
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Damien John Kondic, 39, of Albury pleaded guilty to burglary, firearms and drugs charges when he appeared in the Wodonga Magistrates’ Court.
He was placed on a six-month community corrections order without conviction.
The court heard Wodonga police Crime Investigation Unit detectives had been called to Weatherall Masonry Pty Ltd on the Lincoln Causeway on September 12.
The owner of Totally Recycled, housed on the same three hectare block, told detectives a shed next to his business was fortified with steel, timber and heavy padlocks.
And that’s where detectives found property that had been stolen from Totally Recycled over six months.
They also found a stolen sawn-off shotgun, an air pistol, ammunition and two grams of methylamphetamine.
Kondic arrived during the search with keys to the front gate and shed and he had two mobile phones. Detectives immediately arrested him.
A drug test found he had methylamphetamine in his system.
Prosecutor Sen-Constable Wayne Taylor said Kondic had denied knowledge of the guns, ammunition and white powder when he was interviewed the next day.
He told detectives the stolen property in the shed belonged to him but the owner of Totally Recycled denied the claims.
Kondic told his barrister, Sally Wilson, several people had access to the shed.
“My client is not willing to name other people involved in this,” Ms Wilson said.
Kondic has no criminal record and Ms Wilson said he had ran a music shop franchise in Wodonga where he helped with work experience and TAFE programs.
Ms Wilson said her client had developed an amphetamine problem after his involvement with the business ceased.
“He has had a problem with amphetamine use that has been ongoing,” she said.
She said the father of two young children gave private music lessons and was involved with personal fitness training.
Kondic pleaded guilty to burglary, theft, two counts of possession of a handgun, possession of ammunition, handling stolen goods, possession of a drug of dependence and possession of proceeds of crime.
Magistrate Stella Stuthridge sentenced him to a six month corrections order without conviction. He is required to do 40 hours of community service and be treated for drug abuse.
