Jake King sentenced in Mackay Supreme Court for cocaine possession
A plasterer and family man has fronted court after he was arrested as part of a police drug sting in the state’s north. DETAILS.
Police & Courts
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A Mackay dad of two found with more than 4g of pure cocaine came undone when he parked his car outside the home of a person known to be associated with drugs.
Mackay Supreme Court on Tuesday heard police ran Jake King’s registration plates when they found him parked outside a particular Rural View home on July 15, 2021.
“(Officers) found you had been linked to, or allegedly associated with, an ongoing drug operation concerning the supply of drugs in Mackay,” Justice David North told King.
Officers then searched King’s car, finding $1600 cash, two clip seal bags containing white powder inside of a sunglasses container, and further clip seal bags in the back of the vehicle.
Forensic analysis revealed King possessed “4.36g of pure cocaine out of a total of 22.434g of substance” – an amount indicating it was for both personal and commercial use.
Crown prosecutor Tiffany Lawrence said King’s drug-related offending dated back to 2014 and submitted that Justice North impose a sentence with “ongoing supervision” to help King “escape the addiction”.
The court heard the maximum penalty for possessing a dangerous drug in excess of 2g was 25 years’ jail.
Barrister Scott McLennan, instructed by McKay Solicitors, asked his honour to consider that sentencing had been delayed but not at fault to King.
“It took months for the drugs to be sent from Mackay to Brisbane for analysis, and a further year for the analysis to take place,” Mr McLennan said.
“In that time, my client removed himself from his drug-using associates (and) he sought further treatment for his mental health.”
Mr McLennan said 29-year-old King worked five days a week as a plasterer in Hervey Bay, only returning to his Mackay family on weekends, and he “enjoy(ed) significant support from family members and friends” including from his wife Kelly who was present in court.
“He’s willing to do whatever it takes to stay out of custody to continue working and continue supporting his family.”
Mr McLennan said a GP and family had helped King rehabilitate, and asked for a head sentence between 18 months to two years’ jail.
Justice North told King dangerous drug addictions caused the community significant harm but he took into account his rehabilitation efforts, references which spoke highly of him, and his work commitments.
He sentenced King, who pleaded guilty to possessing a dangerous drug in excess of 2g, to two years’ jail with immediate parole.
A conviction was recorded.
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