Benjamin Stephen Russell: Convicted drug trafficker assaults man over botched meth deal

A man who was sold salt instead of the $5000 in drugs he believed he was paying for attacked an innocent victim before fleeing the scene in a Dalby hotel. Here’s what happened when he faced court:

A convicted drug trafficker who violently assaulted another man after he was sold salt instead of the thousands of dollars in meth he believed he was purchasing has been sentenced to jail.

Benjamin Stephen Russell and his co-offender drove from the Gold Coast to Dalby on June 16, 2020, to pick up ice from a supplier.

Dalby District Court was told the 39-year-old and his co-accused met with a woman in the car park of the Windsor Hotel the next day, where Russell handed over close to $5000 in exchange for what the pair believed to be meth.

Crown prosecutor Victoria Adams said the duo drove down the road after the exchange and pulled over to sample the drugs, only to realise they had been duped and given bags of salt instead.

Ms Adams said Russell and his co-offender drove back to the hotel to search for the woman and ended up entering the room of another man, who they mistakenly thought was associated with their supplier.

She said Russell punched the man in the face, with the force knocking his victim backwards through a glass window.

The court was told Russell then left the hotel room while his co-offender stayed inside, threatening the victim with a steak knife.

Staff members at the hotel called emergency services to the scene and the victim was transported to Dalby Hospital to be treated for cuts to his face.

Russell and his co-accused were found around the corner of the hotel and taken into custody at the scene.

The Gold Coast man was sentenced to jail for drug trafficking in August last year, and was due to be eligible for parole later this month.

Defence barrister Nick McGhee told the Dalby court his client was remorseful for his actions and knew he did the wrong thing.

The 39-year-old described the incident to his lawyer as “a stupid overreaction” that he now regretted.

Russell pleaded guilty one count each of burglary with intent to commit an indictable offence in company and unlawful assault causing bodily harm in company.

He was sentenced to 12 months’ jail with a new parole eligibility date of July 15, 2022.