Jail cook’s work won credit from the judge

DALE Bradley Hite had burned through his second, third and fourth chances before he faced the Toowoomba Supreme Court yesterday, leaving the judge with few options other than jail.

The court heard the 29year-old Jandowae man had an “entrenched” methamphetamine addiction when he started selling the drug.

Crown Prosecutor Matt LeGrand said Hite sold amounts from 0.1-3.5 grams from February 15-July 30, 2019.

“He has a long-standing addiction,” Mr LeGrand said.

The court heard Hite was on parole for previous offences when he started pushing methamphetamine.

Acting in his defence barrister Nick Brown said Hite took steps to address his addiction while in custody.

This included four months as the head cook on the prison’s breakfast shift.

Judge Martin Burns took this under consideration.

“No doubt that is a position that would attract a great deal of criticism if he did not get it right,” he said.

However, he also noted the weight of Hite’s charges.

“Although there can be no doubt that your business was profit driven, I have little hesitation accepting that you engaged in trafficking to support you own addiction,” Judge Burns said.

“Trafficking in methamphetamine is a very serious offence because that enterprise inflicts great suffering on the community.”

Judge Burns sentenced Hite to three years jail.

He set a parole eligibility date at September 30 after considering Hite’s 289 days of pre-sentence custody.