Mitchell Harris handed a suspended sentence for drug and gun offences
An addict who brought a gun to a drug deal over “rip off” fears – where he bought $7k of meth to fuel his next hit – has received a lenient sentence.
North & North East
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A business owner was told by a judge it’s now up to him to turn his life around after he was busted stocking up on thousands of dollars worth of meth.
Mitchell Charles Mitch Harris, 29, was in the grips of an “out of control” addiction when he was caught buying his next hit outside a known drug house.
The Adelaide District Court on Wednesday heard Harris was stopped by police at Croydon Park in the early hours of July 13, 2020.
They found 7.97g of methamphetamine, a BB gun, $4300 hidden behind the glove box, four mobile phones and prescription drugs.
The value of methamphetamine was between $3990 and $7980.
The court heard Harris had been using an 8-ball of methamphetamine a day for one to two months before the offending.
Harris pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and possessing a firearm.
“I have inferred … that you were in possession of the firearm to protect the methamphetamine and cash which you had in your car,” Judge Michael Durrant said during sentencing.
Marie Shaw QC, for Harris, previously told the court he was caught stocking up on drugs before he went to work.
“It’s fair to say that by the time he got arrested for these offences his addiction was out of control,” she said.
“In the context of his drug addiction he was waiting for the occupant … which was a house known to the police prior to the night as a place where drug use or trafficking may have occurred.”
The court heard Harris was “fascinated with guns” but had now well and truly lost the fascination.
The court heard the gun was inoperable and there were no BB pellets found.
“He was concerned as to who these people were and were they going to rip him off as he goes to approach a house to buy drugs, not to sell drugs,” Ms Shaw said.
The court heard Harris works as a carpenter and owns his own construction business.
The court heard Harris had turned a corner dramatically after his release from custody and was undertaking rehabilitation programs.
Judge Durrant sentenced Harris to two years and five months, with a non-parole period of one year and three months.
“Methamphetamine is a dangerous, insidious drug which causes great harm to those who use it,” he said.
Due to Harris’ family support and rehabilitation prospects, the sentence was suspended on a $1000, two year good behaviour bond.
“You have benefited today from some leniency, I hope you reflect very carefully on what has occurred and take the opportunity that you have been given to continue to turn your life around,” Judge Durrant said.
“It is up to you now.”
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