Former lawyer Gregory Morcom sentenced for manufacturing methamphetamine in Salisbury North

A former Adelaide defence lawyer has been sentenced for his “amateur attempt” at cooking meth after police uncovered a secret laboratory.

A former lawyer has found himself on the wrong side of the law again – this time for an “amateur attempt” at cooking methamphetamine.

Gregory Donovan Gwynfor Morcom, 45, avoided jail after police uncovered the clandestine laboratory in his accomplice’s house.

During sentencing, the court heard police searched a Salisbury North residence on September 14, 2020 and found Morcom and his co-defendant Nigel Robert Oldfield present.

Police located chemicals and equipment associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Expert officers from Forensic Science SA and the Drug and Organised Crime Task Force attended to dismantle and process what they identified as a clandestine laboratory.

Former lawyer Gregory Morcom photographed after a court hearing in 2014. Photo: File

Gregory Morcom pictured in 2013 was sentenced for manufacturing methamphetamine. Photo: File

The court heard the forensic chemist who analysed the scene believed the chemicals could have been used to manufacture 2g of methamphetamine.

However, the equipment was not set-up or operating at the time of the search.

The court heard Morcom’s fingerprint was located on a glass dish which contained pseudoephedrine and various text messages located on his phone referred to methamphetamine.

Morcom pleaded guilty to manufacturing a controlled drug.

The court heard Morcom was admitted to the Supreme Court as a lawyer in 2005 before eventually starting his own firm.

However, after Morcom was sentenced for six counts of possessing child exploitation in 2014, he was struck off as a lawyer in 2017.

Morcom was then sentenced in 2021 to two years jail, with a non-parole period of 13 months for possessing a firearm.

The court heard Morcom’s life spiralled after losing his mother and difficulties in his relationship.

“You had been a casual user of methamphetamine but that use became more regular and you began to rely on that drug to manage anxiety,” Judge Emily Telfer said.

“All of these circumstances meant in 2020 you were making poor decisions.”

Judge Telfer said she would sentence Morcom on the basis he was assisting Oldfield – who was sentenced in 2021 for his “instigator” role – and the manufacture was an “amateur attempt”.

She sentenced Morcom to one year and five months jail, with a non-parole period of 10 months.

“Any involvement in the manufacture of methamphetamine is serious,” she said.

“This is because methamphetamine is an illegal drug but also because the process of making it is dangerous and creates a risk to anyone who is close by if things go wrong.”

Due to Morcom’s rehabilitation efforts, the sentence was suspended on a two year good behaviour bond.