Mark Andrew Francis busted with drugs, house breaking equipment on parole

A Mackay father of six was already on parole when he was repeatedly caught with drugs and other dodgy items including those linked to a BCF break-in.

A Mackay father of six and former crane operator with an extensive criminal history was on parole when police busted him with drugs and house breaking equipment.

A father of six and former crane operator with an extensive criminal history had only been on parole for four months when he got into more trouble, Mackay Magistrates Court has heard.

Mark Andrew Francis, 33, was released in early 2024 after serving time for breaking and entering when police found “house breaking” tools and days later, busted him driving without a license.

Over the following weeks he was also found with various drugs including almost 4g of pure methamphetamine, quantities of marijuana, suboxone and ecstasy.

Francis’ unlicensed driving was repeated on May 10, and this time police found two suboxone tablets.

When police found him driving illegally again on July 14, they also found him with marijuana, methamphetamine and more suboxone.

The court heard Francis struggled against police as he was arrested and was under the influence of both methamphetamines and marijuana.

A subsequent search warrant of a Bucasia address revealed more drugs, three rounds of ammunition, an expensive mountain bike for which he could not provide evidence of purchase and tainted property from a BCF break-in.

Francis was not charged with stealing the bike or with breaking into BCF and stealing any property from there, but he pleaded guilty to a raft of charges including possess by night instrument of house breaking with a prior conviction, possessing dangerous drugs, possessing tainted property and authority required to possess explosives.

He spent 247 days in custody from August 13, 2024 to April 16, 2025.

Defence solicitor Dyane Norton said Francis had “fallen in with the wrong crowd” when he was younger and was working “when possible”.

“Mr Francis has indicated he is seeking to continually rehabilitate,” Ms Norton said.

She told the court Francis was previously sentenced in 2016 for possession of 10g of methamphetamine.

Magistrate Bronwyn Hartigan said the time spent in custody from August 13 to January 7 2025 would not be declared as this was time served under another sentence.

“You do have a work history unfortunately you fell out of work because you’ve fallen into the wrong crowd and you’ve committed numerous property offences,” Ms Hartigan said.

“You do have a long-term partner now who will offer you support on your release … hopefully you will commit to an opiate program and finish it.”

Ms Hartigan sentenced Francis to 12 months imprisonment and suspended the sentence for an operational period of 18 months.

Francis was also disqualified from driving for three months and days in custody from January 7 to April 16 2025 were declared.

Convictions were recorded in relation to all charges and Ms Hartigan told Francis he would be released on April 17, 2025.