James William House’s fall from grace revealed after being sentenced for drug trafficking

He grew up in one of Adelaide’s wealthiest suburbs – but now this former private school student has convictions for drug trafficking and money laundering. See how his life spiralled.

Raised in one of Adelaide’s wealthiest suburbs, a privileged dealer who gave away drugs to “buy friends and show off” has had his fall from grace revealed.

Former Prince Alfred College student James William House’s criminal history now consists of two suspended sentences after being sentenced for money laundering and drug trafficking in the past decade.

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

The court heard on the night of the offending House, 31, had arranged to meet a woman to share his drugs with.

Andrew Williams, for House, said his client took a wrong turn and ended up in the driveway at Woodcroft, which by pure coincidence was a house police were monitoring.

James House was sentenced for drug trafficking. Photo: Facebook

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

Police then followed House’s 2013 Mercedes-Benz, with House accelerating and nearly crashing into a median strip.

“He was aware that a car that he described as a dirty Kia vehicle with three blokes in it was rapidly coming up behind him,” Mr Williams said.

House eventually 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

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

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

During sentencing submissions in May, the court heard House was handed a suspended sentence for money laundering in 2013.

The court heard House received $22,000 into his bank account as a payment for a car that didn’t exist in April 2012.

Mr Williams said his client who was “young and stupid” at the time was duped by the fraudulent transaction, in which he only received a small fee.

James House was handed a suspended sentence. Photo: Facebook

James House was also convicted of money laundering in 2013. Photo: Facebook

“A principal offender convinced my client to allow his bank account to be used to receive money for a vehicle sale,” he said.

“The money was received and the principal was paid.”

The court heard House attended Prince Alfred College until Year 9 and had previously worked as a disability support worker and run a Futsal league.

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

The court heard House was raised at an address at Springfield, which is in the southeastern foothills and one of Adelaide’s most expensive suburbs.

“The house was eventually sold and my client received some money. On my instructions he had no shortage of money,” Mr Williams 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.

“In his words, the quality of drugs was s*** and they were expensive and he had to meet with people and deal with people he didn’t know and he didn’t trust,” Mr Williams said.

The court heard House, who was using up to 10g of meth per week, had the financial capacity to buy drugs in bulk – to use, share with others and sell some.

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.

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

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

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