Jayden Mann sentenced after handgun, drugs found in Gladstone raid

Police found a handgun during a drug raid at a Central Queensland mechanic’s home – but that wasn’t all they uncovered.

Jayden Sammuel Mann was sentenced in Gladstone Magistrates Court after he was found in possession of a handgun.

A handgun on a coffee table was a key find for police during a drug raid at Gladstone, a court has heard.

Jayden Sammuel Mann, 25, appeared in custody in Gladstone Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to charges including unlawful possession of a weapon, possessing explosives, dangerous drugs and drug items, and disqualified driving.

He also pleaded guilty to a charge which related to not giving police access to information stored electronically.

The court heard that on May 27, a police dog squad attended Mann’s South Gladstone residence.

At the start of their search, they found a shoebox on a coffee table – inside the shoebox was a handgun, a holster and ammunition.

During the search, police also found more ammunition in a bedroom, a container with the drug GHB in it, and drug items including numerous glass pipes.

The court heard Mann refused to give police his passcode to an electronic device.

Jayden Sammuel Mann.

Police prosecutor Kelvin Boyd said the offences were committed while Mann was on parole with the most serious being the possession of the handgun.

Mann had an eight-page criminal history and a five-page traffic record.

Solicitor Stephen White said Mann was a qualified light vehicle mechanic who had “excellent prospects of work and rehabilitation”.

“He has had significant substance abuse issues in the past but has dried out while in prison,” Mr White said.

“He does have a stable address to return to upon release (from custody).”

The court heard Mann had completed a drug course while in custody.

In relation to the offending, Mr White noted Mann was not caught with the handgun in public and that was relevant for sentencing.

During sentencing, Magistrate Mary Buchanan said Mann had a “serious” criminal history which included offences of violence, drug offences and evasion.

She sentenced Mann to 18 months’ jail, declared 177 days’ pre-sentence custody as time already served, and fixed immediate parole eligibility.

Mann was also disqualified from driving for two years.

Convictions were recorded.