CQ mine worker Brett King in Gladstone court on meth charge

A court has heard that a Central Queensland mine worker busted with meth had a history “littered with drug offences.”

A Central Queensland mine worker with a history of drug offending has faced a Gladstone court after he was busted with meth. Generic image.

A Central Queensland mine worker busted with methamphetamine in March had previously served a suspended jail sentence for drug supply, a court has heard.

Brett Andrew King, 33, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court on May 2 to possessing methamphetamine and a drug utensil.

The court heard that about 2.30am on March 31, police intercepted King, driving in Gladstone Central, for a breath test.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Tanya Griffiths said officers saw King to be nervously shaking and behaving in a defensive manner and they detained the vehicle for a search.

Sgt Griffiths said during the search, police found a sunglasses case which contained 0.9g of methamphetamine and a glass pipe.

The prosecutor said King had relevant criminal and traffic histories.

The court heard that in 2021, King was convicted in the District Court of supplying dangerous drugs and he had completed a suspended 12-month jail sentence for that.

“Prior to that, his history is littered with drug related offences,” Sgt Griffiths said.

“His traffic history is also relevant in the sense that he has previous drug drive (offences) - one in 2020 and one in 2022.”

Solicitor Rio Ramos said King worked as an operator at Emerald on a 10-days on, 10-days off roster.

“He instructs me that it (meth) is only for personal use and he doesn’t use drugs that often,” Ms Ramos said.

“And he also gets tested by his employer in relation to illicit substances.”

Ms Ramos said King was looking to relocate from Gladstone.

Before handing down penalty, Acting Magistrate Mary Buchanan noted that King had received fines, community service and a suspended sentence previously for his drug offending.

For these latest offences, Ms Buchanan fined King $1800 and convictions were recorded.