James McClure sentenced at Gladstone for cocaine, weapons charges
Police made a disturbing find in a Central Queensland concreter’s bumbag but that was just the start of what they would uncover.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Police found a Central Queensland concreter and family man with loaded weapons, ammunition and drugs, a court has heard.
James Peter David McClure, 39, appeared in custody in Gladstone Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to 11 charges including dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, possessing dangerous drugs, unlawful possession of a firearm, possessing explosives, receiving tainted property, wilful damage, two counts of stealing, and three counts of driving while SPER suspended.
Police prosecutor Kelvin Boyd said the “concerning” charge which the head sentence should attach to related to McClure possessing a loaded handgun in a bumbag.
“The reason I identify the loaded handgun (as concerning) Your Honour, is that this offence has a maximum (penalty) of 14 years imprisonment on indictment - it also comes with a minimum penalty of 12 months (jail) wholly served in a correctional facility,” Mr Boyd said.
“The prosecution does submit that the sentencing must ensure that it deters the defendant and others from committing the same, or similar offences, in the future.
“It must indicate the community’s denunciation of the defendant’s criminal conduct, and protect the Queensland community.”
Mr Boyd submitted for a head sentence of two-and-a-half years’ jail on the unlawful possession of a firearm charge.
The court heard the receiving tainted property offence related to a second firearm which was also loaded.
It was further told McClure was found in possession of ammunition - 16 shotgun rounds.
He was also caught with a “very small” amount of cocaine, the court heard.
It was told McClure stole fuel on two occasions and the wilful damage charge related to a fuel bowser.
No restitution was sought by the prosecution.
The court did not hear details about the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle offence and a seven-page sentencing schedule was tendered.
McClure had a seven-page criminal history and a six-page traffic record.
The court heard the full-time expiry of the current sentence he was serving was June, 2027.
Solicitor Stephen White said McClure, a concreter and father of five children, was “the sole bread winner” of the relationship he was in and the family was “tightknit.”
“He has held steady employment for the last 16 years, subcontracting and working for himself as a concreter,” Mr White said.
“He’s remorseful and he’s embarrassed to be here, and he certainly understands the severity of his actions.”
On August 28, Acting Magistrate Stephen Byrne sentenced McClure to two years and six months’ jail, to run concurrent with his existing sentence.
Mr Byrne declared 37 days’ pre-sentence custody as time already served and fixed parole eligibility at August 28, 2025.
McClure was also disqualified from driving for three months and a forfeiture order was made for the two weapons and the ammunition.
Convictions were recorded.
Safety questions after Bruce Hwy explosion that killed twin unanswered
The companies involved in the crash that killed a 21-year-old twin and blew up part of the Bruce Highway have failed to answer key questions about another recent near-disaster in Central Qld.
‘Fed up’: Businessman robbed at home has ute stolen from workplace
Brad Neven has been a victim of crime in his house and now at his workplace in Yeppoon. He has warned that people no longer feel safe in their own homes and businesses. Watch the CCTV footage.