Ronald Wimmer sentenced for supplying heroin to his partner that led to overdose death

A man punishes himself everyday after finding his partner of 20 years “cold to touch” and realising the heroin he supplied to her led to her overdose death.

A drug dealer’s decision to supply his long term partner with heroin led to the most tragic of circumstances.

Ronald Franzld Leopold Wimmer, 60, has his jail term suspended in the Adelaide District Court due to the “enormous price” he had already paid.

On Wednesday, the court heard Wimmer, who was a heroin addict, and his long term partner, Julianne Rosser had been living together at Mitchell Park.

“Ms Rosser was also a heroin user,” Judge Jo-Anne Deuter said during sentencing.

Wimmer obtained some heroin for Ms Rosser on July 9, 2019.

“You then prepared the heroin before placing it into a syringe and handing it to Ms Rosser,” Judge Deuter said.

“You witnessed her inject herself and stayed with Ms Rosser for approximately 30 minutes to ensure that she did not have any serious reaction.”

Wimmer then checked on his partner several times after work, at first thinking she was sleeping.

“When your dog began acting strangely, you became concerned that something was amiss,” Judge Deuter said.

“You found Ms Rosser cold to touch and believed she had died.”

Wimmer called for an ambulance who arrived and confirmed Ms Rosser was deceased.

“Your offending in supplying heroin to Ms Rosser has led to the most tragic of circumstances,” Judge Deuter said.

“However, I am satisfied that Ms Rosser was an experienced user of heroin and that she took the heroin you supplied willingly.”

Ronald Wimmer was handed a suspended sentence for supplying heroin. Picture: iStock

Wimmer had previously pleaded guilty to supplying a controlled drug to another person.

The court heard Wimmer had been addicted to heroin for over 20 years and had been jailed for selling heroin as part of a syndicate in 1995.

“A friendship first developed when she (Ms Rosser) offered to visit you in prison each week,” Judge Deuter said.

“Thereafter, you served your parole period at her home and you were together for a period of 20 years until her death.”

The court heard Wimmer, who had known Ms Rosser since high school, had become her carer after she had a significant knee injury.

“Ms Rosser was in constant pain using prescription medication, alcohol and heroin to cope,” Judge Deuter said.

The court heard a “shattered” Wimmer had stopped using heroin since Ms Rosser’s death and had full time employment.

“You did everything together, including breeding dogs, camping, four-wheel driving and fishing,” Judge Deuter said.

Judge sentenced Wimmer to one year jail, with a non-parole period of six months.

“You punish yourself every day for having given the heroin to Ms Rosser and you now have to deal with the guilt of her death,” Judge Deuter said.

“The consequences of your offending have had a very tragic impact upon you and, of course, are a reminder to all of us of the tragedy which often occurs as a result of the use of illicit drugs.”

The sentence was suspended on an 18 month good behaviour bond for $500, due to the “enormous price” Wimmer had already paid.