Ambo caught with drugs

Magistrate ‘perplexed’ by paradmedic’s actions

A GOLD Coast magistrate said he was “perplexed” that an off-duty paramedic could be caught in possession of a dangerous drug, given the daily challenges frontline emergency workers face.

But he hopes the medic does not lose his job over it.

Queensland Ambulance Service paramedic Jack Dawson pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court yesterday to being in possession of a bag of “off-white powder” in Broadbeach this month.

Magistrate Gary Finger gave Dawson a $600 sixmonth good behaviour bond. No conviction was recorded.

“Of any person on the planet you should know you shouldn’t do this,” Magistrate Finger said. “This stuff ain’t the answer.

“I’m very perplexed by this, you see the first-hand effects of this (drug). Let’s hope you can keep your job after this.”

The court heard that council CCTV camera operators called police about Dawson and others at Kurrawa Park about 2am on May 10, because the group appeared to be highly intoxicated.

Police witnessed Dawson take a plastic bag from his pocket, dip his finger into it and put a substance into his mouth, the court was told.

Police allege Dawson told officers that he was in possession of MDMA when questioned, the court heard.

Officers then gave him a pat down where they found a bag containing an “off-white substance”, the court heard.

Defence lawyer Chris Main, of Alibi Criminal Defence, said outside of court there was not enough of the substance to confirm what the powder was.

The court heard Dawson co-operated with police on the night in question.

Mr Main told the court Dawson had thought of the death of his brother in 2012 during the night of excessive drinking which resulted in him making “a very foolish decision”.

Mr Main told the court Dawson had been drinking all day and found himself in the position where he was around people who had illicit drugs.

“He understands how stupid that is. At the end of the year he has to apply for registration (to be a paramedic),” he said. “It was a momentary lapse of judgment. He had never had a relationship with drugs.”

A Queensland Ambulance spokesman said Dawson “has been supported by re-assignment to non-operational duties.”