Fisherman, handyman, disabled dad and mum-to-be among those facing court

Drug crime is one of the most common types of crime in the region. According to police data, the Bundaberg electorate has seen 301 reported cases so far this quarter: These are just some of the recent cases of drug crime that have been heard in our courts.

A number of people have appeared before court on various drug offences recently.

Drug crime is one of the most common types of crime in the Bundaberg region.

According to Queensland Police Service data, the Bundaberg electorate has seen 301 reported cases so far this quarter.

These are just some of the recent cases of drug crime that have been heard in Bundaberg Magistrates Court.

Adam John Zande.

Handyman faces court after police find him with drugs, replica Glock and utensils

A handyman found himself fronting court this month after he was found with drugs and a replica firearm.

Officers said Adam John Zande was nervous and shaky when pulled over.

Zande was fined $1200 and a conviction was not recorded.

Court hears of builder’s ‘sophisticated’ lengths to grow his own marijuana

One builder revealed he’d grown his own stash of marijuana in order to avoid others in the scene.

Police found 33 marijuana plants under a hydroponic set-up in Myles John Pentland‘s Apple Tree Creek home.

Pentland received one fine of $1800 for all offences and convictions were not recorded.

Fisherman faces court after sinking drugs at party before getting behind the wheel

A fisherman caught himself a date in court after taking drugs at a party.

Callan John Williams was pulled over in Thabeban where he tested positive on a drug test.

The court heard Williams was last before the court three years ago for something “far more serious”.

Williams was fined $500 and was disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence for three months.

Convictions were recorded.

Meth driver’s excuse: ‘I was under a lot of pressure at the time’

A woman caught driving on an expired licence with meth and cannabis in her system has told a Bundaberg court she just wanted to plead guilty and “get it over with”.

In May, Jennifer Ann Hawkins was driving her Holden Commodore sedan when police pulled her over for testing.

Officers took Hawkins to Gin Gin for further testing which revealed both methamphetamine and THC in her system.

For the charge of drug driving, she was fined $350 deferred to SPER.

For driving on an expired licence, she was disqualified from driving for a period of three months.

No convictions were recorded.

Meth dad’s fingerprints linked to loaded shotgun find

A magistrate told a disability pensioner dad with an 11-page criminal history that getting a job might keep him “busy” and out of trouble when he went before court on drugs and weapons charges.

Wade Francis Marshall received a suspended sentence and convictions were recorded.

Lingering drug in system lands highway driver in hot water

Peter Karl Schmidt pleaded guilty in Bundaberg Magistrates Court to driving on the Bruce Highway with marijuana in his system.

Schmidt, who was self represented, told the court he didn’t realise the drug would be in his system and that his licence had recently expired.

He was fined $250 and disqualified from holding a licence for one month.

A conviction was not recorded.

Man fined after police find him with ice and uncapped syringe near train station

A man walked away from court with a fine after being found with drugs and an uncapped syringe.

Thomas Jeffery Patch pleaded guilty in Bundaberg Magistrates Court to possessing dangerous drugs and failing to properly dispose a needle or syringe.

Police found 1g of ice and several syringes in his backpack.

Patch also pleaded guilty to a bail breach.

He was fined $300 with a conviction recorded.

Young mum-to-be pulled over with drugs in system and laser pointers while disqualified

A mum-to-be has racked up more than $1500 in fines and received a lengthy licence disqualification after she was caught driving while disqualified on Boundary Street with drugs in her system.

Elizabeth Ellen Murphy, 22, pleaded guilty in Bundaberg Magistrates Court to possessing dangerous drugs and restricted items, driving with drugs in her system and driving while disqualified by court.

Murphy received a total of $1750 in fines and was disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence for two years and three months.

Convictions were recorded.