Jacob Dean Cavanagh, Trent Barrett sentenced for jail riot

A shooter and a young father have added to their jail sentences for their roles in the wild riot at a Rockhampton jail that racked up $1.2 million of damage.

A shooter and a father have added to their jail sentences for their roles in the wild riot at a Rockhampton jail.

A shooter and a father have added to their jail sentences for their roles in the wild riot at a Rockhampton jail that racked up $1.2 million of damage.

Mackay District Court on Thursday heard Mackay duo Jacob Dean Cavanagh, 29, and Trent Barrett, 24, both participated in the October 2021 mayhem at Capricornia Correctional Centre.

Judge John Coker said he accepted they joined the 100-strong riot out of “an element of self-preservation” but neither were involved in setting fires or threatening guards and both were among the first to surrender.

Crown prosecutor Anthony Hall said Cavanagh had a “substantial criminal history” and was “subject to a sentence and a suspended sentence” at the time of the riot.

He was then released on parole before going back to jail in July this year with a three-year term after firing a single barrel shotgun at a car and wounding a man in Rural View.

Judge Coker said Cavanagh’s meth addiction had led to a “dreadful deterioration” of his life.

Mr Hall said Barrett had a lengthy criminal history including possessing dangerous drugs, stealing, damaging property, dishonesty and contravening domestic violence orders.

His time behind bars was due to expire on November 2022 but he was kept in prison for his role in the riot.

The court heard he was a father and his meth use had coincided with an “escalation” in crime.

Defence barrister Scott McLennan, instructed by Fisher Dore, said Barrett was also facing matters in Mackay Magistrates Court including dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and multiple disqualified driving charges.

Both Cavanagh and Barrett pleaded guilty to riot in circumstances of aggravation, which carries a maximum penalty of life in jail.

Judge Coker sentenced Cavanagh to 12 months jail with a parole eligibility date of January 10, 2024 and wished him well in changing his life.

He also sentenced Barrett to 12 months jail and reactivated his suspended sentence, taking his parole eligibility date to November 15 this year.

“I sincerely hope that you can become a contributing member of our community but much more importantly, the father that your young son deserves,” Judge Coker said.