Caught fresh out of jail

Newly released trafficker nabbed with drugs

A CONVICTED drug trafficker who has spent most of the past three years behind bars has been warned he faces a rocky road towards rehabilitation.

Justice David North expressed his concern for Daniel John McLachlan’s young age as he sentenced the 21-year-old for the second time in two years.

The Townsville Supreme Court heard that in August last year police found Mclachlan to be in possession of 5.164g of methamphetamines and two sets of electronic scales.

Mclachlan ( pictured) had only been released on parole three months earlier after he was sentenced to four years’ jail on January 14 last year for drug trafficking.

The court heard that over the past three years, Mclachlan had spent just three months in the community.

Crown prosecutor Molly Mahlouzarides told the court the majority of Mclachlan’s offending occurred on August 16 while on bail.

“(The defendant) was found in possession of a small quantity of methamphetamine, 28g of cannabis, over $1000 in cash and other paraphernalia associated with drug use,” she said.

The court heard police also uncovered two supplies of cannabis totalling 35g.

It was accepted by the court that the methamphetamines were not for a commercial purpose.

The court heard McLachlan had a lengthy criminal history but was supported in court by his mother.

The fresh charges breached Mclachlan’s parole and he pleaded guilty to one count of possessing dangerous drugs.

Defence barrister David James presented to the court references from Mclachlan’s parents and said his client understood his obligations to turn his life around.

“It will be a case of he either moves forward positively with his rehabilitation or he will be returned to prison,” he said. Justice North replied: “It just takes one slip from here on in and your client will be back in prison and he will serve every day of everything.”

Justice North told Mclachlan if he continued to break the law he would be looking at cumulative sentences.

“I hope to be brief today because a lot of what I am going to say I would have said when you were last before me,” he said.

“Don’t be under any illusions that you have been harshly dealt with by authorities (but) as a recidivist offender you will be treated quite sternly by the courts.”

Justice North took into account the significant period spent in presentence custody before sentencing Mclachlan to two years’ jail with an immediate parole release eligibility date.