Ben Piggott sentenced at Gladstone for drug offending

Wearing a full-face balaclava, this methed-up driver was slumped over the steering wheel with his foot “planted firmly” on the accelerator. What police found inside the car got him into even more trouble.

Ben William Piggott was sentenced in Gladstone Magistrates Court after pleaded guilty to 35 charges including four counts of possessing dangerous drugs. Generic image.

A methed-up driver was slumped over the steering wheel with his foot “planted firmly” on the accelerator of his running car when Rockhampton police busted him, a court has heard.

Ben William Piggott, 36, appeared in custody in Gladstone Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to 35 charges including four counts of possessing dangerous drugs, stealing, unlawful possession of weapons, unlawful use of motor vehicles, in charge of motor vehicle while UIL, and three counts of disqualified driving.

One of Piggott’s drug offences involved him getting busted with “a large amount” of methamphetamine at Rockhampton.

That and his other offences were detailed in a 21-page schedule of facts tendered to the court.

It heard that on one occasion, police found Piggott in the driver’s seat of a Lancer (engine running) at Rockhampton and he was “under the influence.”

Police parked their car against Piggott’s front bumper, and they could hear the Lancer’s engine “under heavy strain” causing it to “red line.”

Officers saw that Piggott had a full-face balaclava on, was slumped over the steering wheel, and his right foot was “planted firmly” on the accelerator causing the motor to reach maximum revolutions per minute.

Inside the Lancer, police found a clip-seal bag containing “a large amount” of meth, as well as cannabis, a flick knife and drug items, the court was told.

It heard Piggott did not have a licence to drive and the vehicle was unregistered and uninsured.

Piggott’s criminal and traffic histories were both 11 pages and he was previously sentenced in the Supreme Court at Maryborough in 2019 for possessing dangerous drugs.

Since then, he had also been dealt with in Hervey Bay Magistrates Court a number of times for evasion and dangerous operation of vehicle offences.

Solicitor Cassandra Ditchfield tendered references for Piggott and said his mum was in court to support him.

Ms Ditchfield said all of Piggott’s offending was due to his meth addiction.

“This is a man that clearly has an issue with drugs,” she said.

“His history shows that, the offending shows that.”

Ms Ditchfield said Piggott had been “drug free” for his 116 days in pre-sentence custody and he was committed to remaining drug free when he was released from custody.

“It was actually his own suggestion that the length of the parole order be extended so that he could be with them for as long as possible so that he can stay on the right track,” Ms Ditchfield said.

Magistrate Mary Buchanan sentenced Piggott to two-and-a half years’ jail, declared 116 days’ pre-sentence custody as time already served, and fixed parole release at July 25, 2025.

He was also disqualified from driving for three years.

Convictions were recorded.