Nomads drug dealer Brayden Hunter jailed after suspended sentence determined “inadequate”

A man “seduced” into selling $45,000 of drugs for the profit of the Nomads bikies thought he had a get out of jail free card, but the court had other ideas.

A former bikie caught with $45,000 worth of meth spent his first Christmas in a jail cell after his celebratory freedom was short-lived.

Brayden Mark Hunter, 28, was jailed for over four years after the Court of Appeal overturned his original sentence.

In their judgement published last month, Justices Sam Doyle, Chris Bleby and Sophie David said Hunter’s sentence was “manifestly inadequate” and suspending it was incorrect.

Hunter was sentenced in August to two years and five months jail, with a non-parole period of one year and one month.

Hunter – who was only eligible for a suspended sentence if exceptional circumstances were met – had it suspended on a three-year good behaviour bond after Judge Liesl Kudelka determined he met the criteria.

Brayden Hunter avoided jail for drug trafficking for the Nomad bikies. Photo: Facebook

Brayden Hunter avoided jail for drug trafficking for the Nomad bikies. Photo: Facebook

During Hunter’s sentencing, the District Court heard police searched his Bolivar cabin on December 11, 2020 and found methamphetamine in resealable bags.

One bag contained 83.6g of crystals, with 78 per cent purity, another bag contained 5.27g, with 61 per cent purity and the third contained 6.75g, with 61 per cent purity.

The court heard the methamphetamine was valued between $18,000 and $45,000, depending on how it was sold.

The court heard police found drug dealing text messages between him and the president of the Nomads motorcycle gang, Beau Cochrane on one of Hunter’s phones.

Judge Kudelka said a significant amount of money was passing through Hunter’s hands.

“You knew the profits were going back to the club in circumstances where the person with whom you were communicating was bragging about the club being the richest,” she said.

Hunter pleaded guilty to drug trafficking for the benefit of a criminal organisation.

“Your lawyer submitted that you were only 25 when you were seduced into that lifestyle, you were young and addicted to drugs,” Judge Kudelka said.

“You also kept the difference between what you received for selling the drug and what you were required to pay back, which would fund your habit.”

In their judgement, Justices Doyle, Bleby and David determined Hunter’s rehabilitation efforts and leaving the Nomads motorcycle gang weren’t enough to warrant exceptional circumstances.

They said while it was “very unfortunate” that Hunter would be jailed after receiving a suspended sentence, the public confidence in the justice system would be affected otherwise.

Hunter was sentenced to four years and 10 months jail, with a non-parole period of two years and seven months.