Brisbane dad Timothy Kyle Waghorn to be deported for dealing meth

A Brisbane truck driver and father of five is on track for deportation — leaving his children behind — after police uncovered incriminating messages on his phone.

Timothy Kyle Waghorn will be deported after his release from custody on drug charges. Picture: Facebook

A Brisbane dad’s descent into drug addiction has ultimately landed him behind bars and on track for deportation, a court has heard.

Truck driver Timothy Kyle Waghorn, 45, pleaded guilty in Ipswich District Court on March 8, 2023, to supplying a schedule 1 dangerous drug, and possessing anything used in the commission of a crime.

Crown prosecutor May Gu said police uncovered Waghorn’s offending after they raided his home in 2021 and discovered a phone he had used to arrange the drug transaction.

Ms Gu said they found messages on the phone which revealed he had arranged to exchange “some points” of methamphetamine for a phone on October 16, 2021.

The court heard Waghorn had once worked in the IT industry and had some expertise in phones, but had more recently worked as a truck driver.

He had moved to Australia from New Zealand more than 20 years ago with his now ex-wife, with whom he shared five children.

Waghorn was taken into custody in March, 2022, and his visa was cancelled in April – meaning he will be deported upon his release.

However, the court heard he intended to contest the cancellation when he was back in New Zealand so that he could return to his children.

Defence barrister Emily Lewsey said Waghorn had struggled with drug addiction issues since 2014.

She said he now recognised that he had effectively “ruined his life” through his use of meth.

The court heard he had a significant criminal history including recent convictions for possessing dangerous drugs and receiving tainted property – which were uncovered at the same time as the current supply offence.

He received a 12-month prison sentence with immediate parole for those offences.

For the supply and possession of the phone offending, Waghorn was ultimately convicted and not further punished, with 372 days in presentence custody taken into account.