By Brendan Rees
A Cranbourne East man, who admitted to being made to look like a “buffoon” when he infamously appeared on national TV with a nunchuck demonstration, has pleaded guilty to weapons charges.
James Read was filmed by A Current Affair (ACA) in February fumbling to the ground of his backyard while providing a nunchuck demonstration, and labelled as being a part of a ‘No Fear’ gang.
After the program was aired police pounced on properties, including that of a resident who was shown using a compound bow on the ACA program. The nunchucks were among the items seized by police.
Mr Read faced the Frankston Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 30 October and entered a guilty plea to a charge of possessing illegal weapons.
He was handed a 12-month good behaviour bond with no conviction recorded.
“I’ve got so much stuff on my plate right now with my son being injured in an accident, to drag it on any further wouldn’t be good for my family,” Mr Read said.
He said the nunchucks were bought for his son who had taken up karate lessons more than 20 years ago.
“ACA said it was all above board … after the show I went to Narre Warren police station and said: ‘This is what I did on TV just now, some people said that what I was doing might be considered illegal.’
He says the police told him “No, no you’re alright because you’re on your own property.“
He conceded the ACA airing was “blown out of proportion” and “I don’t go to the streets looking for trouble or anything like that.”
ACA, he says, advised him everything was “above board,” when he provided a nunchuck demonstration. Mr Read said he was looking at moving out of the area to be closer to medical facilities for his disabled son.
He added crime in the area was also a concern and “just going to continue.”
“I think it’s a vicious cycle with certain groups of people who are committing crimes probably because they’re not getting employment opportunities.”
But on the positive side, Mr Read says he has been more motivated to trim his weight after seeing many re-plays of himself on camera.
“Every time I saw that video of me being so fat … I’ve been doing a lot of sit-ups and eating right to get rid of the sweet drinks,” he said.
