Drug dealer blames broken heart, money woes for turning to illicit trade

His connection to cocaine dealing was revealed after police discovered text messages about it while they were speaking with him about another unrelated matter.

Text messages have revealed a man’s illicit cocaine dealings after police spoke to him on an unrelated matter, with a court hearing the man’s history of offending coincided with the breakdown of his romantic relationships.

Graham Robert Braid, 38, pleaded guilty to 12 counts of supplying dangerous drugs when he appeared before Maryborough District Court last week.

The court heard the offending had been discovered by police when they were speaking to Braid on an unrelated matter.

The officers saw a number of messages on Braid’s phone, offering supply of cocaine.

In addition to the supply charges, he was also facing a number of summary offences, including possessing dangerous drugs, driving without a licence, failing to dispose of a needle or syringe, drug driving and possessing utensils.

The court heard Braid had been facing financial difficulties and had already drawn on his super when he started dealing the drugs.

The court heard he got involved in selling drugs in order to fund his own drug use.

His offending was described as low level but “incredibly persistent”.

Braid had grown up in an environment where he was exposed to domestic violence.

His father was addicted to heroin, the court was told.

The court heard Braid had found work as a concreter and was in a long-term relationship.

A letter from his employer described him as a valuable employee.

The court heard Braid was currently in a long-term relationship, but previous relationship breakdowns had resulted in drug use and offending.

Judge Suzanne Sheridan said the circulation of drugs through the community and the reliance on drugs destroyed lives.

Braid was sentenced to 18 months in prison, with immediate release on parole.

He was disqualified from driving for two years.