Magistrate slams lack of housing for rehab

A MAGISTRATE has dubbed a 24-year-old drug addict an “example of everything that is wrong with the criminal justice system.”

Jai Richard Butchers, who was 10 when his father was given a life sentence, became addicted to heroin at age 16 and has been stuck in a cycle of drugs and crime ever since.

He appeared in the Southport Magistrates Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to a string of offences including stealing mail from Southport homes and forging medical scripts.

Butchers was sentenced to nine months in jail.

Defence lawyer Lisa Searing, of Allen and Searing Criminal Lawyers, said Butchers wanted to recover.

She said he managed to stay out of trouble when employed, citing gaps in his criminal history.

“It’s when he’s not working that things seem to snowball for him, he goes back to his old ways,” Ms Searing said.

“He has made the decision that he wanted to get clean and fit.”

Magistrate Gary Finger criticised the shortage of rehab centre vacancies, places where those such as Butchers could go to for immediate help.

“How many places are there for people in immediate, dire need of help who recognise that and want to do something about it?” Mr Finger said.

A Queensland Corrective Service representative said there were “very limited places” in rehabilitation centres and Butchers would likely have to wait “many months” for a place.

“You are an example of everything that’s wrong with the criminal justice system,” Mr Finger said.

“You’re a person who has a disadvantaged background as a result of your father having presumably committed a very serious offence.”