Bikie feared club retaliation: Melb court

A former Hells Angels member kept loaded guns in his home to defend himself after being dubbed a "turncoat" for leaving the club, a Melbourne court has heard.

Dennis Basic, 37, was convicted in the Victorian County Court on Tuesday for being a prohibited person possessing weapons, after he was caught with loaded semi-automatic pistols in his bedroom and hallway, other guns and ammunition, a body armour vest and anabolic steroids.

The court heard his actions were "defensive" in nature as he believed he could be targeted as a "turncoat" by the club, which he was forced to leave as a condition of a previous conviction.

Police raided Basic's home in June 2016, at which time he denied knowing about the firearms and the body armour.

Judge Susan Cohen said Basic admitted guilt before a committal hearing, which meant he received "considerable leniency" in his sentencing.

In December 2015 Basic was sentenced to 23 months imprisonment and a community corrections order for offences - including explosives charges - committed in 2013 when he was attempting to become a Hells Angels member after his marriage broke down.

Those matters followed previous convictions for armed robbery and assault.

She said upon his release, Basic moved to the other side of Melbourne, far from his past connections, but was mindful of protecting himself from possible threats.

Judge Cohen said it was "unfortunate" Basic had not seemed to have learned from his mistakes.

However, she said, because he had no mental health or drug dependency issues, his prospects of rehabilitation were "by no means poor".

Basic was sentenced to 28 months' jail time, with a non-parole period of 18 months.

Judge Cohen said he had already served 405 days in pre-sentence detention.