Court releases photos of William Cluney and Phoebe-Lee Keenihan’s meth raid

A 46-year-old’s drug dealing enterprise came undone after police found an ice pipe in his undies and his teen girlfriend stashed $40k meth in hers. See the photos.

A man once hailed a hero after rescuing his family from a burning fire had his life spiral out of control after his relationship broke down and he turned to drug dealing.

William Geoffrey Cluney, 46, entangled his teenage girlfriend, Phoebe-Lee Rose Keenihan in his enterprise after she hid his meth in her underwear during a raid.

During Cluney’s sentencing, Judge Rauf Soulio told the District Court police observed a drug transaction at Brickworks Torrensville on May 28, 2020.

Police searched Cluney and found an ice pipe secreted in his underwear, as well as fantasy and methamphetamine in his backpack.

Keenihan was also searched and police found 135g of methamphetamine, 83g of which was pure, hidden in her underwear.

The methamphetamine was valued between $13,500 and $40,000.

Methamphetamine found during the search. Photo: Courts SA

The fantasy and methamphetamine found during the search. Photo: Courts SA

The methamphetamine found in Keenihan’s underwear. Photo: Courts SA

The court heard there were drug transaction messages, photos of drugs and tick lists on Cluney’s phone.

Cluney, of Seaton, and Keenihan, of Mansfield Park, pleaded guilty to drug trafficking.

Phoebe Keenihan was sentenced earlier this month for drug trafficking. Photo: Facebook

William Cluney helped his five children escape from the fire at their Murray Bridge home in 2010. Photo: File

During Cluney’s sentencing submissions earlier this month, Matthew Christey, for Cluney, told the court he injured his back while working as a furniture removalist and stopped working.

“Things really spiralled out of control with his drug use and subsequent drug dealing,” Mr Christey said.

The Advertiser reported on Cluney saving his family from their burning Murray Bridge property in 2010, after he awoke to the sound of cracking timber.

Cluney braved the flames to ensure everyone was out safely from the fire which destroyed their home.

Mr Christey said Cluney’s relationship with the mother of his five children ended and he started an on and off relationship with Keenihan.

The court previously heard Cluney was introduced to Keenihan by her mother when she was 17 and they began a “toxic” relationship, despite him being older than her mother.

Keenihan, now 21, was convicted and sentenced to a $1000, one-year good behaviour bond earlier this month.

Judge Soulio sentenced Cluney on Wednesday to three years and eight months jail, with a non-parole period of one year and nine months.

The sentence was backdated to October 23, 2020, meaning Cluney is eligible for parole.

Judge Soulio said it would be a “great shame” if he returned to the drug culture once released.

“Inevitably that will result in you returning to drug use and to reoffending,” he said.