Convicted burglar off to jail again for sourcing drugs

A MAN who was intercepted by police sourcing drugs had only been released from custody 28 days earlier.

Zackarie Paul Haines, 26, was sentenced to four years’ jail last September for armed robbery, burglary, weapon offences and drug offences and was released on parole on April 23 this year.

The Townsville District Court heard that on May 21 this year Haines made arrangements via text message to source .2g of methamphetamines.

Haines indicated the rate for the drug was $800 a gram.

Crown prosecutor Siobhan Harrison told the court police searched the hotel room where Haines was staying five days later on May 26.

Ms Harrison said Haines was in possession of the mobile phone that the text messages were sent from.

Police arrested Haines and he was taken into custody.

Haines pleaded guilty to supplying schedule one dangerous drugs and possessing anything used in the commission of crime.

The court heard Haines’ parole was suspended two days later on May 28.

Defence barrister Harvey Walters told the court his client had a solid employment record.

He also said he had been accepted into the army after leaving high school in Year 11.

Mr Walters told the court Haines hoped to turn his life around when he completed his jail sentence.

“He has struggled with a drug addiction in recent times and with the assistance of his father hopes to get into a drug rehabilitation centre and deal with those matters,” he said.

Chief Judge Kerry O’brien told Haines his offending was “serious”.

“You have a reasonable work history and you are not without ability but clearly drugs is the most detrimental part of your life,” he said.

“You were granted parole in April and within a month these two offences occurred and that is very concerning.”

Chief Judge O’brien sentenced Haines to nine months in jail.

A parole eligibility date was set at September 22 this year.

Convictions were recorded.