James William House sentenced after being caught with methamphetamine in Woodcroft

A son of one of Adelaide’s wealthiest families, and former student at a prestigious private school, was caught with a large amount of meth which he would give away to “buy friends”.

A Merc-driving drug dealer educated at one of Adelaide’s most elite private schools gave away meth to “buy friends and show off”, a court has heard.

Former Prince Alfred College student James William House, 31, avoided jail after he was caught with an ounce of meth outside a suspected drug house.

During sentencing, the District Court heard police officers were observing a Woodcroft premises on May 20, 2020 in relation to information that drugs were being trafficked.

House was seen driving his Mercedes Benz before stopping outside the house police were watching.

“The detectives made some observations in that context that led them to suspect that a drug transaction had taken place,” Judge Emily Telfer said.

James House was sentenced for drug trafficking. Photo: Facebook

James House was caught with 27.6g of mixed methamphetamine. Photo: Facebook

Police followed the car, with House accelerating and nearly crashing into a median strip.

“You were behaving in that way because the presence of three men in plain clothes in a vehicle which appeared to be following you made you feel uneasy,” Judge Telfer said.

The court heard House stopped when he realised it was police following him.

Police searched House’s car and found 27.6g of a substance, which contained 16.4g of methamphetamine, in the passenger side footwell.

The methamphetamine found in House’s car. Photo: Courts SA

Some of the methamphetamine found. Photo: Courts SA

The court heard the methamphetamine was valued up to $15,000 if sold in smaller amounts.

House attended Prince Alfred College for the majority of his schooling, the court heard, and had previously worked as a disability support worker.

The Advertiser understands House’s wider family are well-known Adelaide identities in the construction industry.

His father, Henry Christopher House, known as Chris, died in July 2002, aged 44, after a “sudden illness”.

Chris House, formerly of Springfield, in Adelaide’s southeastern foothills, was director of a well-known building company with his twin brother before his death, according to business records filed with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission.

The court heard James House’s brother passed away suddenly after a heart attack.

Justin Christopher, 33, died earlier this year in Bangkok, Thailand, where he lived.

It was believed Justin Christopher was previously a soldier and a member of the ‘B’ Company in The London Regiment and served with The Queen’s Company Grenadier Guards in Afghanistan.

Judge Telfer said James House grew up with great financial advantage due to his father’s estate.

“You were raised in an environment of great economic privilege, but you experienced hardship as a result of the death of your father when you were still only young,” Judge Telfer said.

“After the death of your father, there was a conflict within your wider family about your father’s very substantial estate.

“I am told that those disputes continue even now, as to the resolution of those estate issues.”

The judge also noted that James House had moved out of home at 16 and had told a psychologist he had been “psychologically abused by your middle brother growing up, including being physically assaulted at least twice a week’’.

“You say you suffered regular concussions growing up because of your brother’s assaults on you, but also as a result of playing competitive contact sport,’’ Judge Telfer said.

The court heard House became a cocaine user after a relationship breakdown but switched to using methamphetamine after the Covid pandemic made it difficult to obtain cocaine.

“You did not like being in this situation because you considered the quality of the drugs was poor and when you purchased it, you had to deal with people you did not like and did not trust,” Judge Telfer said.

The court heard House, who was using up to 10g of meth per week, bought an ounce of the drug to use, share with others and sell some.

“You say that you did not need to sell drugs to fund your addiction, you had enough money,” Judge Telfer said.

“Your financial privilege meant that you were able to supply drugs to buy friends and show off.”

Judge Telfer sentenced House to two years and six months jail, with a non-parole period of 18 months.

“You come from a background of financial and social advantage that protects you from the ruin that many others in the community who are exposed to methamphetamine will experience,” she said.

The sentence was suspended on a two-year good behaviour bond, with supervision.

House was also ordered to complete 140 hours of community service.