No jail for drug offences
A FORMER Cairns professional wakeboarder has avoided jail, instead receiving two years probation and no conviction for supplying drugs to his mates.
Ethan Charles Agius sourced cocaine, steroids and ecstasy through his connections in the Cairns nightclub scene to give to his friends.
His lawyer Rowan Silva said Agius received no monetary payment.
“He did it to help the people he knew,” he said.
Agius began using drugs through his chosen sport.
Mr Silva said within the sport there was “a strong cannabis culture ... which was an introduction to more serious drugs”.
The Cairns Supreme Court was told that Agius had competed in wakeboarding at an international level.
He retired and during his offending, between September 2014 and August 2015, was working at various Cairns nightclubs.
“It’s a total of $3410 of drugs that he sold over that period,” crown prosecutor Gelma Meoli said. “He stopped of his own accord.”
Justice James Henry said Agius had obviously been operating at a low level.
Since his offending, Agius had completed his boilermaking apprenticeship and was working full-time in Mount Isa.
Mr Silva said Agius was subjected to regular drug testing through his job.
The court was told that Agius was a young offender, just 23 years old, with no convictions and had entered an early plea. It was also accepted that Agius had made rehabilitation attempts.
He pleaded guilty to five counts of supplying drugs and was also fined $3500.