Hobie James Jones pleads guilty to drug possession

A Bundaberg tradie has fronted court after police found him in possession of drugs and ammunition. Here’s what happened when he faced the judge.

Hobie James Jones pleaded guilty to five charges in the Bundaberg Supreme Court.

A Bundaberg man has avoided jail after pleading guilty to possession of drugs and explosives.

Hobie James Jones plead guilty in the Bundaberg Supreme Court on Tuesday for possessing drugs, which Justice Graeme Crow called “awful and so powerful.”

The court heard police intercepted the 28-year-old in Bargara in 2021, after they suspected he was in possession of drugs following a drug-drive charge seven days earlier.

“That suspicion was well founded,” Mr Crow said.

Jones was found with 10.8 grams of methamphetamines, which was alleged for personal use only, along with five rounds of .22 ammunition, clip seal bags and a pipe.

The court heard Jones had failed to take part in an interview, but through investigations police were able to confirm Jones was not dealing the drugs.

Barrister Callan Cassidy appeared on behalf of Jones, saying his client he had “turned the corner,” since gaining work as a concreter in Yeppoon.

“(You’re) Jones’ employer speaks highly of (you), and he is aware of (your) offending,” Mr Crow said.

Justice Crow debated with Mr Cassidy on the best course of action for Jones, and questioned if Jones should received more than a “slap on the wrist.”

“The question with young men is should we send them to prison now, give them six months in there so they actually wake up to themselves?,” Mr Crow said.

“Or do we keep just slapping them on the wrist and they think it’s a joke.”

The court heard Jones’ previous criminal history included serious assault and drug offences.

Jones had grown up with a violent stepfather and a relationship breakdown in 2018 had further contributed to his heavy drug use, the court was told.

Mr Crow considered Jones’ youth and limited criminal history but said Jones wouldn’t have those advantages if he found himself in criminal trouble in the future.

“You better seriously consider your future because you could be sitting inside a jail cell, with a grown man who may well be a murderer,” Mr Crow said.

“Terrible things happen to young men in prisons, terrible things.”

Jones was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment with immediate parole.