Loaded homemade gun seized

He is facing charges including being a prohibited person possessing a firearm, being a prohibited person possessing an imitation firearm, two counts of possessing cartridge ammunition and unlicensed storing of a firearm or ammunition in an insecure manner.

His charges also included two counts of carrying a prohibited weapon, possessing methamphetamines, possessing ecstasy, possessing the stimulant drug dimethylamphetamine, and taking or sending anything into a prison.

Senior Constable Harrison Davis of Cobram Crime Investigation Unit told the court police started investigating firearms manufacturing in the local area in June.

On September 2, Watkin was arrested at his workplace — a Numurkah fabrication and engineering business.

Police found what they allege was methamphetamines in his car, as well as four rounds of .22 ammunition and a Taser, Sen Constable Davis said.

In the motorhome he was living in at a Numurkah caravan park, they found a homemade firearm, and a BB gun — which is classed as an imitation firearm — despite there being an order that prohibited him from possessing guns.

They also found ammunition and eight tablets police allege was ecstasy.

A search of his parents’ house in Trafalgar — which was listed as his official address on court documents and where he was spending his weekends — found two shotgun cartridges in a shed and drugs in his bedroom.

Sen Constable Davis opposed bail, saying the risk he posed was “horrendous” as he had a loaded gun in a public caravan park, and that he had been “travelling across Victoria with a firearm” between Numurkah and Gippsland when he knew he was not allowed to have one.

Watkin’s mother gave evidence in court that she and her husband were in their 80s and it was “good to have his help” at home.

However, when questioned, she said she did not know he used drugs, despite what was found in his room at her house.

The court was also told Mr Watkin’s sister would put up a $5000 bail surety if he was released on bail.

Mr Watkin’s defence solicitor said her client was prepared to give up his job in Numurkah and live full-time with his parents in Trafalgar, and would comply with a curfew.

She also said Mr Watkin had indicated he would plead guilty to the charges next time he came to court.

However, prosecutor Rachel Elliot opposed bail, saying he was likely to be given a prison sentence.

She also said he had a history of contravening bail conditions three times previously.

Magistrate Allison Vaughan described his criminal history that spanned from 1993 to 2025 as “consistent, persistent and extended”.

In refusing him bail, Ms Vaughan said she was not satisfied that compelling reasons for bail had been met or that the risk he posed could be mitigated to an acceptable level.

He will again face court on the charges in November.