Jamie Richard Hartwell in court for having gunpowder

A man aged in his 50s has told a Gympie court he kept the gunpowder in his bedroom drawer to make fireworks.

Jamie Richard Hartwell receives moral support from friends and family in front of Gympie Magistrates court.

A pensioner in his 50s pleaded guilty in Gympie Magistrates Court on Monday to having explosive gunpowder in his bedroom drawer without the authority to do so.

Jamie Richard Hartwell, 59, pleaded guilty to possessing explosive gunpowder, which was found by police during a search of of his North Deep Creek house on June 19.

Police prosecutor Mel Campbell told the court Hartwell claimed he had used the gunpowder to make fireworks.

“During the search police located a tin containing gunpowder on the top draw in the defendant’s bedroom, and was labelled ‘5th unit smoke and pistol shotgun powder’,” she said.

“Police questioned the defendant and he confirmed that the gunpowder belonged to him and he said he used it to make fireworks.

Jamie Richard Hartwell leaves Gympie Magistrates court on Monday after being convicted of possessing explosive gunpowder.

Hartwell’s defense lawyer Christopher Anderson said his client had not been before a court in years.

“My client is 59 years-of-age, turning 60,” Mr Anderson said.

“He currently receives a disability support pension and he has been receiving that pension for well over 30 years,” he said.

“He is unable to work because he has significant nerve damage to his neck, shoulders and arm damage, and he receives about $1100 a fortnight from Centrelink.”

Hartwell was fined $250 and a conviction was recorded.

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