Dealer told to wake up

Court told man sold ice while on bail for dealing

A TOOWOOMBA judge chastised a methamphetamine dealer for supplying the “insidious” drug despite the man having first-hand knowledge of the debilitating effect it had on people’s lives.

A court was told when Harley Knight was 18 he had a promising tennis career and received a scholarship in Melbourne, but he ended up getting involved in ice.

Crown prosecutor Nicole Friedewald said the 37-yearold had a significant criminal history that involved drug offences.

Ms Friedewald noted Knight was on bail for dealing meth when he had been caught continuing to sell the drug.

Ms Friedewald said officers raided Knight’s home on June 9, 2020, and found more than 5g of ice, a tick sheet, and messages on his phone relating to drug deals. Knight was charged, released on bail, and continued to offend.

The court was told in October 2022, when police pulled over a car for a traffic offence, Knight was in the car and looked to be drug affected which led to police taking him to the station and going through his phone.

Ms Friedewald said messages showed he was still selling and using meth.

In Toowoomba Supreme Court on Thursday, March 9, Knight pleaded guilty to seven charges of dealing dangerous drugs to members of the Toowoomba community.

Barrister Jessica Goldie said Knight had been a talented tennis player before he became addicted to hard drugs at 18, but he was now clean for the first time since being in jail.

On a bad day, Knight had said he would use up to three points of meth.

Ms Goldie said Knight had been doing well in jail and was working in the laundry.

Justice Peter Applegarth told Knight that it was up to him to stay clean and out of trouble.

“It’s really up you … to decide if you stay in the revolving door of the criminal justice system,” he said.

“You need to wake up to yourself, you aren’t 18 … you are an adult, you better start acting like one.

“You better start acting like someone who is going to contribute to the community, not corrode it.”

Justice Applegarth sentenced Knight to three years imprisonment and set his parole illegibility for December 12, 2023.

The 60 days Knight spent in presentence custody was declared time served.