Not guilty plea on drug trafficking
A FORMER Port Douglas gym owner has pleaded not guilty to trafficking and supplying cocaine and successfully applied to have his trial heard only in front of a judge.
Lee Undy, 47, a former Bandido, was arraigned in the Cairns Supreme Court yesterday, entering not guilty pleas to one count of drug trafficking and four counts of drug supply.
He pleaded guilty to contravening an order linked to refusing police to access his mobile phone.
Under COVID-19 measures new jury trials have been suspended in Queensland courts, including Cairns.
Mr Undy’s solicitor, Bebe Mellick, said his client, who was on bail, would prefer to have the matter heard as soon as possible. It is alleged he trafficked cocaine in Port Douglas between August 1, 2017, and February 1, 2018. He is also charged with supplying cocaine four times within that period to two people in Port Douglas including cocaine addict Christian Webb who gave evidence at Mr Undy’s committal hearing and is expected to be a key witness during the trial.
Mr Webb claimed during the hearing he lied to a Crime and Corruption Commission tribunal in 2018 about Mr
Undy’s involvement in the drug scene to protect himself.
Justice Jim Henry approved the judge-only submission and said if he had requested a jury trial it might not go ahead until next year.
“It is plain in the interests of justice that I acquiesce to the application,” he said.
Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane said there was no opposition to the matter going before a judge, but said there were two witnesses, both co-offenders, who might need to physically appear in court.
He said one was in custody and one was not.
Under the virus measures defendants and legal representatives are now appearing in court via video link.
Justice Henry adjourned the matter for mention on April 20 where he would likely set a trial date.