The Geelong County Court saw several significant cases proceed on Thursday, November 20, 2025, with multiple defendants facing sentencing for various offenses across the region.
Multiple Offenders Face Justice
Shane Bourke, a 40-year-old resident of Geelong West, appeared before the court charged with theft. The prosecution detailed how Bourke allegedly stole property from a local business in the Geelong CBD area. Magistrate Johnson presided over the case, which has been adjourned for further evidence collection.
In a separate matter, Jarrod Brough, aged 34 from Corio, faced charges related to drug possession and trafficking. The court heard how police discovered substantial quantities of illicit substances during a raid on his property earlier this year. Brough's legal team requested bail, which was denied due to the seriousness of the charges and concerns about flight risk.
Property Damage and Assault Cases
Nathaniel Brown, 28, of Norlane, appeared on charges of criminal damage and unlawful assault. The prosecution outlined an incident where Brown allegedly damaged a vehicle and assaulted its owner during a dispute in a public car park. Witness statements and CCTV evidence were submitted to the court.
Another case involved Jye Burton, a 31-year-old from Newtown, who faced multiple counts of burglary and theft. The court was told that Burton allegedly targeted several residential properties in the Geelong area over a three-month period. Police evidence included forensic analysis linking Burton to the crime scenes.
Driving and Traffic Offenses
Luke Capuano, 45, of Highton, appeared before the court charged with dangerous driving and driving while suspended. The charges stem from an incident where Capuano allegedly drove at excessive speeds through school zones during peak hours. No injuries were reported, but several witnesses reported near-misses with pedestrians.
In a related matter, Jarrod Chapman, 39, of Whittington, faced charges of drink driving and refusing a breath test. Police evidence indicated Chapman was stopped during a random breath testing operation on the Princes Highway. His blood alcohol reading allegedly exceeded the legal limit by a significant margin.
Ongoing Proceedings and Future Dates
Several cases were adjourned to future dates for further hearings or sentencing. Shane Bourke's matter will return to court in December for mention, while Jarrod Brough's drug trafficking case is scheduled for a directions hearing in early 2026.
The court also dealt with multiple summary offenses and bail applications throughout the day. Legal representatives for various defendants presented arguments regarding sentencing considerations, with several matters being referred to higher courts due to the complexity of the charges involved.
All proceedings followed standard Victorian court protocols, with matters being heard in the Geelong County Court building located in the city's legal precinct. The court continues to process cases from across the Geelong region, addressing both minor and serious criminal matters affecting local communities.
