Father of two avoids jail time on ‘ice’ supply

A TOOWOOMBA father of two almost missed the impending birth of his third child after finding himself at risk of being jailed yesterday.

Micah Joel Connolly appeared before Toowoomba District Court to plead guilty to six counts of supplying the dangerous drug “ice”.

Crown prosecutor Elizabeth Kelso told the court all charges arose from a police search of the 27-year-old’s Toowoomba home in July last year.

Ms Kelso said the charges stemmed from text messages found on the defendant’s phone.

Connolly admitted to police $150 of $300 cash he had on him at the time was the proceeds of a drug sale the day before, Ms Kelso said.

Some of the other charges were “acts preparatory” to supplying, in that the text messages related to potential deals that had not been completed including the agreement of the supply of 3.5g (or a “ball) of methylamphetamine that was not completed because Connolly had not wanted to drive to Dalby to supply the drug, she said.

Ms Kelso told the court Connolly had previous convictions for drug offending and that he had been subject to a probation order at the time.

Defence barrister Scott Neaves said his client and his partner, who was in court, had two children and they were expecting a third in November.

His client had been able to hide his drug use from his partner but she was well aware of it now.

The 27-year-old had started using marijuana at 16 and ice by 20.

His client’s drug use had increased due to stress from feelings of guilt after a car accident in which he was driving in May last year had left his passenger with serious injuries, Mr Neaves submitted.

His client was in employment and taking steps to rehabilitate, he said.

Judge Tony Rafter SC said a term of imprisonment with time actually served was within range but that any time in jail might interrupt Connolly’s rehabilitation.

Judge Rafter sentenced him to 18 months in jail but ordered he be released on parole immediately.