Ex champ learns fate on drug charges
A FORMER dirt bike champion’s Christmas was ruined by a Christmas Eve police raid that uncovered a trove of contraband.
Steven Terence Ryan, 30, was sentenced to 12 months’ jail last November in the Charters Towers District Court for drug supply and was on parole when he was raided.
The Townsville Supreme Court heard Ryan, a talented rugby and cricket player, had a rewarding career as a steel fabricator before turning to drugs in 2016.
A search warrant executed at Ryan’s unit on December 24 found 4.4g of methamphetamines, a tick sheet, electronic scales and a glass pipe, the court heard.
Police also found a taser disguised as a torch.
Crown prosecutor Nigel Rees told the court the drugs found had a commercial flavour.
“It is evident from the prisoner’s behaviour that he has snubbed his nose at the courts previous order and committed these offences while subject to parole,” he said.
Ryan pleaded guilty to six charges including possession of weapons category R and drug possession.
Ryan’s defence barrister, David James, told the court his client was a former Queensland dirt bike champion and was a father to one son.
“He addressed his drug problem but then relapsed again in 2018,” he said.
Justice North declared the six days spent in pre-sentence custody as time served and sentenced Ryan to two years’ jail.
A parole eligibility date was set for October 4 this year.
A serious drug certificate was issued.