Drug offenders who faced Gladstone Magistrates Court

A cosmetic-stealing rigger and a supplier busted via text messages were among the recent drug offenders to face Gladstone Magistrates Court. SEE THE LIST.

Gladstone Courthouse.

The following people pleaded guilty recently in Gladstone Magistrates Court to drug offences.

Conviction recorded

Jacob John Bateup, 34

Bateup pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court on July 1 to charges including possessing dangerous drugs, two counts of stealing and one count of shoplifting.

The court heard that on April 12 last year, police caught Bateup with 1.8g of methamphetamine at Windsor.

The stealing and shoplifting offences happened at Gladstone.

Last July, Bateup shoplifted clothing from a store.

In March this year, he stole security cameras from Bunnings Gladstone.

And in April this year, he stole cosmetics from a Chemist Warehouse store at Gladstone.

The prosecution sought $1539.43 restitution.

The court heard Bateup had a “brief” Queensland criminal history and he also had a New South Wales criminal record.

At the time of committing the drug and shoplifting offences, he was on a suspended sentence.

Solicitor Cam Schroder said Bateup was a rigger and “most certainly not a criminal mastermind.”

“He has resolved that he’s got to do some drug counselling,” Mr Schroder said.

“He has got a job to go to in Biloela – he’s working as a rigger for a crane hire mob out there.”

Magistrate Edwina Rowan sentenced Bateup to one month jail, wholly suspended for nine months.

She also placed him on 12 months’ probation and ordered he pay $1539.43 restitution.

Ms Rowan took no action with the suspended sentence and a conviction was recorded.

Nathan Wade Smith, 35

Smith appeared in custody in Gladstone Magistrates Court on July 2 where he pleaded guilty to 16 charges including possessing dangerous drugs, unlawful use of motor vehicle, and multiple counts of stealing.

A sentencing schedule was tendered to the court and it heard that primarily, Smith’s offending involved him going to businesses and stealing items including alcohol and groceries.

Smith’s most serious offence was the unlawful use of motor vehicle.

The court heard that last September, unknown offenders stole a car from a business at Manly West.

When police later found the car, Smith’s wallet and bank cards were inside the centre console.

Smith’s fingerprints were also found inside the car, along with a clip-seal bag containing amphetamine, the court was told.

Smith had an 11-page criminal history which included similar offending.

Solicitor Cassandra Ditchfield said at the time of Smith’s “worst” offending, he was having relationship difficulties because of his drug use.

Ms Ditchfield said Smith, a father, had the support of his partner but she did not tolerate drugs.

Magistrate Edwina Rowan sentenced Smith to 18 months’ jail with immediate parole eligibility, declaring 77 days’ pre-sentence custody as time served.

A conviction was recorded.

Jade Lynette Irwin, 32

Irwin pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court on July 1 to charges including possessing dangerous drugs and two counts of failing to appear in court.

The court heard that on June 13, Irwin was a passenger in a vehicle that was intercepted by police at West Gladstone.

In Irwin’s bag, police found a clip-seal bag containing 1.8g of cannabis.

The court heard Irwin had a “dated” entry on her criminal history for possessing a drug utensil.

Solicitor Jun Pepito said Irwin had entered early pleas of guilty.

Magistrate Edwina Rowan fined Irwin $600 and a conviction was recorded.

No conviction recorded

Terence Mark Fredrick Nicholson, 35

Nicholson pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court on July 1 to three counts of supplying dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs, and possessing drug utensils.

The court heard in April, police executed a search warrant at Nicholson’s residence when they found him with cannabis.

On his phone they found “a number of messages” indicating he was supplying that drug to people.

The court was told Nicholson had a “minor” criminal history.

Solicitor Jun Pepito said Nicholson was employed and he was drug tested at work.

Mr Pepito submitted probation would assist with Nicholson’s drug issues and the lawyer presented a case for no conviction to be recorded.

In relation to the search warrant issued at Nicholson’s home, Magistrate Edwina Rowan said “no doubt you were on the (police) radar for some reason.”

She placed Nicholson on 18 months’ probation with conditions.

No conviction was recorded.