Marwan Banna sentenced for after pleading guilty to supplying meth to wife as sexual stimulant

The owner of a popular Adelaide pizza shop has been sentenced after a court heard he supplied meth to his wife “to make the most of their time together sexually”.

A father-of-five from Adelaide’s south who supplied meth to his wife to “enhance” their sexual relationship has been spared jail time, a court has heard.

Marwan Banna, 59, appeared in the District Court on Thursday in front of Judge Anthony Allen for sentencing after pleading guilty to one count of supplying a controlled drug.

During sentencing, Judge Allen noted Banna’s offending occurred while he was on parole for a previous drug trafficking and money laundering conviction, but ultimately accepted the current matter before the court was “towards the lower end of the scale”.

“You supplied the drugs to your wife ostensibly to enhance your sexual interactions,” he said.

“This offending is to be distinguished from other similar offending in that this offending does not necessarily place the wider public at risk.

“You would understand that it would not be in your interest to get involved in any drug offending ever again. That would be very counter-productive for you, and would have a terrible impact on your family.”

Marwan Banna leaving the Adelaide District Court. Picture: Charlie Dadds

Marwan Banna leaving the Adelaide District Court. Picture: Charlie Dadds

At his last appearance, the court heard both Banna and his wife “used meth occasionally to make the most of the time they had together sexually”. His wife is not charged with any wrongdoing.

It was further submitted Banna spent two years in custody after a 2016 conviction where he was charged with six counts of drug trafficking and money laundering, which occurred in the midst of “a very serious gambling addiction”. His defence counsel alleged he got involved in trafficking meth to pay off his gambling debts.

The court also heard Banna was the owner of a prominent pizza business in Moana he had been operating for the past nine months, “turning over several thousands of dollars a week”.

Judge Allen sentenced Banna to eight months and 17 days imprisonment – suspended upon entering into a two-year good behaviour bond in the amount of $500.

“Take the opportunity I’ve given you to reform and not come back before the court,” he said.

“I won’t I promise, Your Honour,” Banna replied. “Thank you for understanding.”