Drug addict avoids jail

Harsh warning as ice man freed on parole

AN INNISFAIL drug addict busted with almost 30 clip seal bags of ice has been released on parole with a stern warning from Justice James Henry.

Jens Raymond Sugden’s life had spiralled out of control and he started using methylamphetamines.

“You should understand that if you don’t do what you’re told when you’re on parole … you won’t come back to the courthouse,” Justice Henry said, indicating a risk of jail.

Police searched Sugden’s home on August 31, 2016. Officers found 29 clip seal bags each containing about 0.11 grams of methylamphetamines.

Justice Henry said it seemed obvious Sugden had planned to sell the majority of the drugs, but accepted that some were probably for personal use.

The total weight of the ice was 2.434 grams.

“It’s noteworthy that when caught your first response was to say … it was ‘meth, you can take me to jail now’,” Justice Henry said.

Last week Sugden pleaded guilty to possessing methylamphetamine weighing more than 2 grams, as well as utensils and equipment including empty clip seal bags and scales. He then spent a week in the Cairns watch house after Justice Henry had requested more information.

Sugden’s commercial intentions meant that a jail term with actual imprisonment was an appropriate penalty.

Justice Henry said a pivotal question was whether or not Sugden should benefit from an immediate release or spend some time behind bars.

“Methylamphetamine wreaks havoc in our community, it brings misery to those who use it, it brings misery to their loved ones,” Justice Henry said.

“It has a tendency in some users to result in aggression, paranoia and violence. This often results in innocent members of the community being physically hurt.”

This was why, Justice Henry said, even “small time” offending like Sugden’s was treated very seriously by the courts.

Sugden has already spent eight days in custody, which can be declared. The court was told that he continued to offend even after his arrest over the drug matters. However, since August last year he had taken proactive steps to address his drug habit, including making appointments with a psychologist.

“You have good prospects of securing employment,” Justice Henry said.

Sugden was jailed for 12 months with immediate parole. Convictions were recorded.

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