Alleged rental car thief Joe Hunt denied bail at ACT Magistrates Court despite Asperger's syndrome

Joe Hunt, 30, is alleged to have given police a fake name when pulled over in a blue Toyota Camry missing from a car rental company on Tuesday.

Police said the Lyneham resident tested positive to a prescribed drug, and told them he had recently taken "ice and weed".

They said they also found a taser, known as a conducted energy weapon, on Mr Hunt when he was pulled over.

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Mr Hunt has been charged with driving a motor vehicle without consent, possessing or using a prohibited weapon, driving while disqualified, providing a a false name or address and driving with a prescribed drug in his oral fluid.

In court on Wednesday, his lawyer said Mr Hunt was concerned about being in custody because he had Asperger's syndrome.

She said he "says things that can offend people" and "lacks social skills".

However, Special Magistrate Margaret Hunter declined to give bail.

She said because of Mr Hunt's criminal history it was a "live issue" he may reoffend while out on bail.

Ms Hunter said he had committed offences of a similar nature in the past and had a history of failing to appear in court while on bail.

He is scheduled to reappear in April.

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