DESPITE a lengthy criminal history, a Limestone Coast man found with guns stolen from a Millicent property has “considerable” potential according to a district court judge and is now eligible for parole.
Matthew Janis Bukovskis, 34, recently appeared in the Mount Gambier District Court after he was found with several unregistered shotguns, rifles and ammunition with two co-offenders in 2018.
The Limestone Coast resident was the final of the three to learn his fate, with Noel Wadsley, 37, receiving a term of imprisonment and Brianna Jade Reilly, 26, having her charges dismissed.
Judge Rauf Soulio said on August 25, 2018, police attended Mr Wadsley’s home and seized firearms which were allegedly stolen during break-ins at Tarpeena, Penola and Millicent.
Police located a loaded Winchester .243 calibre firearm, a Winchester 30/30 gauge rifle in a firearm bag along with a box of ammunition suitable for use, a CBC 12-gauge single barrel shotgun and a Lanber double barrel over and under
12-gauge shotgun.
A mobile phone with pictures and video of the defendant handling and discharging the firearms was also discovered as well as Facebook messages from Bukovskis evidencing an attempt to supply the firearms to others.
The court heard Bukovskis’ DNA was recovered from the firearms and he had never held a valid firearms licence.
“You suggested at the time that you had illegally purchased the .243 rifle for your birthday and the rest of the firearms belonged to Mr Wadsley,” Judge Soulio said.
“However, you admitted you had access to the firearms, had accessed them and had attempted to assist Mr Wadsley in supplying them to others.”
The defendant pleaded guilty to a raft of firearms-related charges, including aggravated possession, possessing an unregistered firearm, attempting to supply a firearm and possessing ammunition.
Judge Soulio said Bukovskis started offending as a juvenile and continued as an adult.
The court heard the defendant started work as a shearer at the age of 19 and continued – except for a year when he worked in a timber mill as a labourer – up until the time of arrest.
Bukovskis’ past employer described him as a hard worker and had a realistic potential to earn between $600 and $800 a day as a shearer.
Judge Soulio said Bukovskis had been introduced to the use of amphetamines as a teenager and became heavily addicted from about 2014.
“That addiction appears to have continued and becomes a common thread that links your offending,” he said.
“You were described by your counsel as being a functioning methylamphetamine addict; you were able to maintain employment but much of your income went to fund your drug habit.”
Bukovskis was sentenced to two years and six months imprisonment with a non-parole period one year and three months.
Judge Soulio said he took into consideration the 10 months in custody already served, reducing the term imprisonment to one year and eight months with a non-parole period of five months.
“Having regard to the time you have already served, what that means Mr Bukovskis is that you are eligible for parole immediately,” he said.
“Despite your offending history, you are a man with considerable potential and it is, can I say, frustrating to see a man with potential involved in the types of activities in which you have been involved,” Judge Soulio said.
“Despite the fact that you have been in custody, I am sure you have been made aware of what is happening in the community in terms of the concern that people have about their health and safety.
“You should be in a position to be with your children, providing them with reassurance, guidance and protection.”
