Meth dad’s fingerprints linked to loaded shotgun find

A magistrate has told a disability pensioner dad with an 11-page criminal history that getting a job might keep him “busy” and out of trouble.

Wade Francis Marshall.

A Bundaberg dad with an 11-page criminal history has pleaded guilty in Bundaberg Magistrates Court after police found a number of illegal and suspicious items in his possession.

The court heard that on November 15, 2020, Wade Francis Marshall, who appeared by videolink from the Maryborough Correctional Centre, had been found to be in possession of .5g of methamphetamine, digital scales, a loaded sawn-off triple-barrel shotgun and three shotgun rounds.

While Marshall pleaded guilty to possessing the gun that was found wrapped in a towel, his lawyer Matt Maloy told the court the weapon was not possessed by his client and was not found in his place of residence.

“He’d already left that premises when that item was located,” Mr Maloy said.

“It is the case that there was a fingerprint found on some tape on the barrel … his instructions are now that the weapon was in possession of an acquaintance and it is the case that he says that it wasn’t his.”

When Magistrate Andrew Moloney questioned the claim despite the guilty plea, Mr Maloy said his client decided to take responsibility for the weapon and said without the guilty plea, it would have been difficult for police to prove the weapon had belonged to Marshall.

Magistrate Moloney said Marshall would be sentenced over the Category H firearm under the assumption it was in possession at some time in the day it was found, but the matter would be taken no further than that.

The court heard Marshall had suffered abuse as an adolescent, which was a triggering factor in his behaviour.

The court heard the 41-year-old father of three was on a disability support pension for curvature of the spine, but was attempting to find employment that could accommodate his disability.

“I hope you do, because I’m sure if you’re busy you’re less likely to get in trouble,” Magistrate Moloney said.

For the charge of possessing dangerous drugs, Marshall was sentenced to three months’ prison as well as a three-month term for possessing property suspected of having been used with the commission of a drug offence.

For the offence of the unlawful possession of a Category H weapon, Marhsall was sentenced to six months’ jail. He was also sentenced to six months for not having the authority required to possess explosives.

Marshall’s sentences for the four offences were sest to run concurrently and were wholly suspended for a period of 18 months.

Mr Moloney took into account the 47 days Marshall had sent on remand when determining his sentence.

Convictions were recorded.