Snapchat dad broke into chemists to feed addiction

A YOUNG dad who smashed his way into chemists to steal drugs was told he was so close to jail he should “feel the breeze of the inside of a cell”.

But 21-year-old Coby James Bell (right) managed to avoid a stint behind bars, walking from court on immediate parole.

He pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday to 12 charges, including enter premises by break, attempt to enter premises and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

On March 30, 2020, Bell and his co-offenders used a hammer to smash their way into pharmacies, the court was told.

The dad stole drugs to traffic them on Snapchat.

In the Southport District Court last week, Bell was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment with immediate parole over the drug trafficking. The 12 offences to which he pleaded guilty on Thursday were separated from the district court matters because they were initially contested.

Defence barrister James Grehan, of Legal Aid Queensland, said Bell and others broke into the pharmacies to feed their drug addictions.

Mr Grehan said his client had since turned his life around – he was engaged, had two children and worked at a recycling centre.

“It is in my respectful submission in the interests of Mr Bell, his family and the community that he be allowed to continue on his path of rehabilitation and that any period of imprisonment could only result in derailing his significant steps towards becoming a useful member of the community,” he said.

Magistrate Dzenita Balic said it would be a disservice to send

Bell to jail, given the changes he had made.

“I hope you understand Mr Bell that where you are standing right now, you should be feeling the breeze of the inside of a cell. That’s how close you are of going to jail,” she said.

Bell was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, with immediate release on parole.

He was disqualified from driving for six months.

Convictions were recorded.