Lucky to be free

Guilty man spared jail

A man’s brazen attempt to take drugs with another man while in custody at the Southport watchhouse has almost landed him back behind bars.

Southport Magistrates Court was told cells were opened for prisoners to use the communal exercise yard when Mark Patrick Thompson wandered into another man’s cell on May 11.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Matthew Thompson (no relation) said the 52year-old Mark Thompson asked the other man: “So what do you reckon we do, big fella – you reckon we just put a little bit in a cup?”.

Thompson returned to his own cell to grab a suboxone strip he had stashed, smuggling it to a nearby table under playing cards.

The court was told the suboxone was mixed into a cup for both men, but watchhouse staff were soon alerted by the suspicious behaviour and found the strip during a search. The drugs were not consumed.

It was heard Thompson was admitted to a suboxone program after a prior stint in custody, and still had one of the strips with him when he was taken to the watchhouse.

The father of four ran into strife again months later on November 26 at Paradise Point when he was found operating an unregistered boat with drugs in his system and no marine licence.

Magistrate Dzenita Balic said based on his criminal history the “very serious” supply charge could have landed Thompson in jail had it taken place in an actual correctional centre.

Thompson pleaded guilty to several charges including supplying dangerous drugs, drug driving, and operating a ship without a licence.

He was sentenced to one month’s jail, wholly suspended for four months.