Drug dad jailed for almost 5 years

A NEWCOMB father has been jailed for almost five years after he was busted with tens of thousands of dollars of ice.

Beau Loader was sentenced in the County Court on Tuesday to four years nine months behind bars, with a judge ordering that he serve 2½ years before being eligible for parole.

The 32-year-old was arrested in July last year when detectives raided the home he was sharing with his mother.

After bursting into a garage where Loader had set up a makeshift loungeroom, police found the father of one sitting on a couch and surrounded by various drugs including 179g of ice.

Officers also uncovered handwritten tick lists — commonly used by drug dealers — along with scales and $12,990 in cash.

Loader pleaded guilty earlier this year to more than a dozen charges, including trafficking a commercial quantity of ice.

The court heard the onetime furniture removalist had an extensive criminal record, but sentencing Judge William Stuart said Loader’s most recent crimes were far more serious than any he had committed before.

“Coming before this court on a charge of trafficking in a commercial quantity represents a significant escalation in your offending behaviour and a disturbing one at that,” he said.

The court was told Loader had endured a troubled upbringing. Judge Stuart said Loader was a man who had been given “few opportunities if any” in his life.

“It is hardly surprising that, when one looks at the disadvantage and unsettled life you’ve led, that you turned to drugs,” he said.

But the judge said a strong sentence was warranted for trafficking a large quantity of a drug that caused significant harm to the community.

Loader has already served eight months in custody.