news, crime, Milan Kajevic
An axe-wielding serial criminal who intimidated his housemate later claimed guns in his car were antiques, despite more than 200 rounds of live ammunition being found beside them. Milan Kajevic, 66, fronted the ACT Magistrates Court last month. Magistrate James Stewart sentenced him to a total 30 months’ prison for three charges: possessing an offensive weapon with intent, possessing a prohibited firearm, and possessing ammunition. He suspended the sentence after 12 months. Mr Stewart said Kajevic was out the front of his house chopping wood earlier this year when his housemate came out and said he wanted to evict him. A heated argument had started and Kajevic, wanting to “remonstrate”, advanced towards his housemate holding an axe, which was pointed down. The magistrate said Kajevic fell over, but the incident had a “considerable effect” on his housemate, who had known Kajevic had a gun for some three years. When police searched Kajevic’s car, they found a .25 calibre self-loading Colt pistol and a .22 calibre Harrington & Richardson revolver. Kajevic later claimed in court the guns were antiques or collector’s items, Mr Stewart said, but police also found 217 rounds of live and suitable ammunition in a briefcase in the car. “The defendant was not licensed to collect [the guns], they were not stored in a lawful manner that reflected any alleged collectability, they both worked as intended by their respective manufacturers and, most importantly, they were stored quite insecurely in a car with over 200 rounds of ammunition suited to them,” Mr Stewart said. The magistrate said Kajevic ultimately admitted he had the guns for sentimental value, “collector value” and protection, but hadn’t given any explanation about what or who he needed protection from. Mr Stewart said the 66-year-old had shown little or no insight into his offending, having told the author of a pre-sentence report he was being “victimised by the police, courts and the victim”. He said Kajevic’s criminal history had seen him front courts not only in the ACT, but also in NSW, Western Australia, Victoria and Queensland. “[Kajevic] has known for nearly 50 years that unlawful possession of firearms can lead to jail sentences and yet he has offended in this way,” the magistrate said. He said despite Kajevic’s lack of insight, he did have some prospects for rehabilitation. The 66-year-old pleaded guilty to two out of the three charges he faced, and the magistrate said there was nothing to suggest alcohol or illicit drugs were factors in his offending. Mr Stewart, in sentencing Kajevic, said he would have to abide by a two-year good behaviour order once he was released from prison. He would also have to pay a fine of $900, which stemmed from the charge of possessing ammunition.
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An axe-wielding serial criminal who intimidated his housemate later claimed guns in his car were antiques, despite more than 200 rounds of live ammunition being found beside them.
Milan Kajevic, 66, fronted the ACT Magistrates Court last month.
Magistrate James Stewart sentenced him to a total 30 months’ prison for three charges: possessing an offensive weapon with intent, possessing a prohibited firearm, and possessing ammunition.
He suspended the sentence after 12 months.
Mr Stewart said Kajevic was out the front of his house chopping wood earlier this year when his housemate came out and said he wanted to evict him.
A heated argument had started and Kajevic, wanting to “remonstrate”, advanced towards his housemate holding an axe, which was pointed down.
The magistrate said Kajevic fell over, but the incident had a “considerable effect” on his housemate, who had known Kajevic had a gun for some three years.
When police searched Kajevic’s car, they found a .25 calibre self-loading Colt pistol and a .22 calibre Harrington & Richardson revolver.
Kajevic later claimed in court the guns were antiques or collector’s items, Mr Stewart said, but police also found 217 rounds of live and suitable ammunition in a briefcase in the car.
“The defendant was not licensed to collect [the guns], they were not stored in a lawful manner that reflected any alleged collectability, they both worked as intended by their respective manufacturers and, most importantly, they were stored quite insecurely in a car with over 200 rounds of ammunition suited to them,” Mr Stewart said.
The magistrate said Kajevic ultimately admitted he had the guns for sentimental value, “collector value” and protection, but hadn’t given any explanation about what or who he needed protection from.
Mr Stewart said the 66-year-old had shown little or no insight into his offending, having told the author of a pre-sentence report he was being “victimised by the police, courts and the victim”.
He said Kajevic’s criminal history had seen him front courts not only in the ACT, but also in NSW, Western Australia, Victoria and Queensland.
“[Kajevic] has known for nearly 50 years that unlawful possession of firearms can lead to jail sentences and yet he has offended in this way,” the magistrate said.
He said despite Kajevic’s lack of insight, he did have some prospects for rehabilitation.
The 66-year-old pleaded guilty to two out of the three charges he faced, and the magistrate said there was nothing to suggest alcohol or illicit drugs were factors in his offending.
Mr Stewart, in sentencing Kajevic, said he would have to abide by a two-year good behaviour order once he was released from prison. He would also have to pay a fine of $900, which stemmed from the charge of possessing ammunition.
The ACT courts. Picture: Karleen Minney
