Alleged drug trafficker finally fronts North Queensland court
An alleged drug trafficker and dealer was arrested and taken into custody after he failed to appear as required in a North Queensland court.
Hinchinbrook man Terry AlanEmmett Thomas pleaded guilty in the Ingham Magistrates Court on Thursday to the sole charge of failing to appear in the same court on 15 serious charges under the Drugs Misuse Act on June 30.
The charges include one count of possessing a dangerous drug, 10 counts of supplying dangerous drugs and a charge of trafficking a dangerous drug.
The charges were first listed for mention in the Ingham Magistrates Court in December last year.
Prosecutor Jordan Thee said police had taken Thomas, a father of a three-year-old child, into custody at his home in Ingham the morning of the court appearance.
“The defendant stated that he had his young son in his care and didn’t want to attend court and that the mother was uncontactable; he said he didn’t call anyone as he didn’t have any (phone) credit.”
He said that although Thomas did not have a history of failing to appear, he had been granted bail “on serious indictable matters” in reference to the charges under the Drugs Misuse Act.
Defence lawyer Margaret Crowther said that although he was facing serious charges her client had not had legal representation prior to Thursday.
On the charge of failing to appear, Thomas was fined $600. No conviction was recorded. “Thank you Your Honour,” the softly spoken young man said to Magistrate Scott Luxton.
The drug charges were adjourned to August 25.
Thomas was granted bail with the added provision of reporting to Ingham Police every Thursday.