Desmond James Bowman jailed for three years for 19.9g meth bust

The Mackay father was driving a white Holden Commodore when the cops pulled him over. Here’s what happened.

Pipe

A Mackay man has moved from a history of minor offences to a major conviction after he was busted with 19.9g of meth during a routine traffic stop.

Desmond James Bowman, 41, was driving in South Mackay on November 1, 2021, in a white Holden commodore when he was stopped by police for a roadside breath test.

Mackay Supreme Court heard the police detained Bowman after he appeared nervous.

When the police searched the vehicle, they found 26.4g of a white crystal substance in a baseball cap.

When analysed, the substance contained 19.9g of meth with a purity level of 72 per cent.

Bowman was taken to the Mackay watch-house in the latest chapter of his long and sad history with drugs.

The court heard Bowman had multiple prior convictions for drug offences.

Defence barrister Paul Rutledge said his client was “not without hope”.

“He is fighting a long term meth addiction,” he said.

“He has proved his ability to get off it but then life gets on top of him is probably the best way to put him.

“He is trying and everyone in this courtroom knows how hard it is to get off meth.”

Mr Rutledge noted Bowman’s six-page criminal history was extensive but the offences were all “very minor”.

The court heard Bowman was raised by his mother and had six children of his own.

Justice Graeme Crow said Bowman’s latest offence was “far worse” than his previous convictions and the meth was also for commercial purposes.

“It (meth) is the cause of violence, cause of brain injuries, the cause of heartbreak and the breaking down of families,” he said.

“It is a terrible substance.

“It is very highly addictive, it is designed to be highly addictive.”

Bowman pleaded guilty to one count of possessing a dangerous drug in excess of two grams.

Bowman was sentenced to three years in jail, with parole in six months.

The conviction was recorded.