Benjamin John Stirling in Bundaberg Magistrates Court over meth find

The discovery of two mystery bags in his Bargara bedroom landed this tradie in big trouble.

A machine operator, whose meth stash was discovered in his Bargara bedroom, has been sentenced.

Bundaberg Magistrates Court heard police found two clip-seal bags containing methamphetamine weighing 0.69g and a used glass pipe for smoking drugs when they searched the home of Benjamin John Sterling on May 31.

When the illegal items, which were forfeited for destruction, were found in Stirling’s bedroom, he made no admissions at the time as to what was in the bags.

This week however, he pleaded guilty to possessing dangerous drugs and a used utensil.

While the 32-year-old machine operator had not received an official mental health diagnosis, he suspected he may be suffering from depression, the court heard.

In sentencing, Magistrate Andrew Moloney noted Stirling had pleaded guilty at the earliest possible opportunity and his job would make attending a drug diversion course difficult.

Instead, he fined Stirling $400 for the two offences.

No convictions were recorded.