Drugs, shotgun in home
Concern for daughter, 15
A BELMONT father on bail when police found him with a loaded sawn-off shotgun, more than 30 rounds of ammunition and drugs has been jailed for six months.
The Geelong Koori Court heard yesterday Gordon Black’s daughter, 15, and partner were in the Oberon Drive house when a search uncovered 26.5g of ecstasy, 25.48g of ice, a double-edged fighting sword and a bulletproof vest.
Prosecutor David Vanderpol said the search on December 5, 2017, found drugs, scales, a shotgun with its safety off and ammunition hidden through the home.
“(Black) stated that in relation to the firearm a friend dropped it off,” Senior Constable Vanderpol said.
Black, 35, told police the gun was not his and that he had been selling drugs for a month before the search of his house, the prosecutor said.
A search of his phone also showed evidence of drug dealing.
Senior Constable Vanderpol said Black’s actions required a “significant term of imprisonment”.
He said priors for drug trafficking were an aggravating factor.
Black pleaded guilty to trafficking amphetamine, trafficking ecstasy, firearm possession and committing offences while on bail.
Magistrate Ann McGarvie said it was “extraordinary” his child was at home at the time.
“What surprises me is that there’s a 15-year-old in a house with a loaded shotgun and five rounds in it,” Ms McGarvie said.
“It’s extraordinary that anyone would put the safety and welfare of a 15-year-old at risk.
“These offences are incredibly serious.”
Black’s defence lawyer told the court the death of his grandfather had seen him turn to drugs.
“Mr Black has an extensive history of drug use,” the lawyer said.
The lawyer said she had significant concerns for her client’s mental health while in custody.
Ms McGarvie said she took the concerns into consideration when she sentenced Black.
The court heard the defendant had sought help for drug use and mental health problems while in custody.
The court was told Black was taken into custody late last year for an unrelated matter.
Black had served 65 days in custody before his sentence and will have to complete drug and mental health treatment following his release.