Drug offenders face the court

HALF a dozen drug offenders have all walked away from the same North Queensland court without convictions.

All but one of the six unrelated individuals appearing in the Ingham Magistrates Court on Thursday, April 8, were facing cannabis-related charges with the exception of Melanie Gaye Eastoe, 44.

She was charged with one count of failing to dispose of two hypodermic syringes used to inject methylampetemine.

Eastoe, a part-time petrol station employee and tattoo artist, admitted to the charge after Ingham Police searched a car in which she was a passenger and discovered the needles on March 21.

Queensland Police Service prosecutor Anita Page said Eastoe admitted to possessing the used needles, claiming she had forgotten they were in her bag.

She said Eastoe had been fined for a previous similar offence.

Defence lawyer Sarah Belford said her client had been “trying to turn her life around”, agreeing with the prosecution that a fine be imposed.

She urged the court not to impose a conviction.

Acting Magistrate Scott Luxton told Eastoe to continue on her path to rehabilitation.

Eastoe was fined $450 and no conviction was recorded.

MADISON KERCHER

Casual Mcdonald’s employee Madison Kercher told the Ingham Magistrates Court that she used cannabis to alleviate her anxiety and depression.

Kercher, 18, who had no previous criminal convictions, pleaded guilty to three charges stemming from an Ingham Police raid on her home on March 22, namely possession of cannabis, a grinder and scales, and water bong used to smoke the dangerous drug.

Ms Page said the weight of the cannabis seized totalled 11g.

Ms Belford said her client used cannabis to self-medicate and now understood it was unlawful to do so without the appropriate medical certificate.

“Given her young age and lack of criminal history I have completed a drug-diversion form,” she said.

Kercher was granted drug diversion, which included drug counselling that Magistrate Luxton said would be of immense benefit. No criminal conviction was recorded.

LUIS ARANAS

Also granted drug diversion on cannabis charges was Luis Jacob Aranas, a young Ingham man destined to leave the Hinchinbrook town for the bright lights of the Gold Coast where he intended to work in the hospitality industry.

Aranas, who had no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to possessing less than 1g of cannabis and a cone piece during a search of his vehicle after he was stopped for a random breath test in Ingham on March 12.

Magistrate Luxton said drug diversion would assist the defendant in obtaining information about the consequences of drug use. No conviction was recorded.

LIAM BARNES

Liam James Barnes pleaded guilty to possessing a small amount of cannabis, less than 1g, when he was pulled over for a roadside breath test in Toobanna on March 20.

Barnes said he had been silly and should not have been driving around with cannabis in his car, saying the total amount was less than 0.1g.

He asked that a conviction not be recorded against him, despite a previous conviction for the same charge in 2013.

He was fined $400 and no conviction was recorded.

PADRAIC BATHGATE

A landscaper with two previous drug-drive convictions but no criminal history who admitted to being a recreational cannabis user also escaped conviction.

Padraic Andrew Bathgate, 23, admitted to possessing less than 1g of cannabis and scissors used in connection with the commission of a drug offence.

Ms Page said the charges stemmed from a random traffic intercept, this one in Rungoo, the Cassowary Coast, on March 17.

Bathgate was fined $400. No conviction was recorded.

DANIEL MAGUIRE

Daniel James Maguire, 39, pleaded guilty to possessing 16g of cannabis in Ingham on March 21.

Ms Page said the cannabis was found in the defendant’s tobacco pouch during an Ingham Police intercept and had a previous conviction in 2004.

Ms Belford said her client was an otherwise law-abiding citizen gainfully employed as a forklift driver for 10 years.

Ms Belford said the charge was out of character.

Maguire was fined $500 with no conviction recorded.