Judge questions PTSD finding

A CAIRNS Supreme Court judge had little sympathy for a man on drug trafficking charges whose defence lawyer said he suffered from anxiety, depression, and claustrophobia.

Glenn Raymond Smith, 57, appeared in Cairns Supreme Court for sentencing over four counts of dangerous drug possession and one count of drug trafficking.

Prosecutor Tegan Grasso said the operation “had some level of sophistication” and that police surveillance recorded Mr Smith, a labourer, as saying it was “easy money” and bragging about profits.

Mr Smith and his youngest son, Brett Raymond Smith, were both charged over drug trafficking with the latter being sentenced in May to six years in prison.

They were among several men arrested in a Yorkeys Knob unit in January 2021.

Police seized about 740g of cocaine, with a street value of about $225,000, along with about 340g of methylamphetamine, worth about $190,000, along with 28g of MDMA and a substantial amount of cash.

Defence barrister James Sheridan tendered a psychologist’s report on Mr Smith, who has been in custody since January last year, stating Mr Smith had anxiety, depression and claustrophobia.

“A lot of people suffer from anxiety and depression that go to jail for a long time,” Justice James Henry retorted.

Mr Sheridan noted the psychologist’s report indicated Mr Smith may have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) but Justice Henry questioned how that was relevant.

“You are probably aware some judges aren’t too keen on a PTSD diagnosis without some decent foundational material for it and generally a report by a psychiatrist rather than a psychologist,” Justice Henry said.

Justice Henry adjourned the sentencing to 4pm on October 11.