Aaron Christopher Penney in court for supplying dangerous drugs

A Queensland man who became drug dependent after being evicted from a rental he shared with family members was caught supplying methamphetamine and possessing a ‘significant amount’ of the drug.

Aaron Christopher Penney, 29, was sentenced in the Rockhampton Supreme Court on August 31 for supplying dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs in excess of 2g and possessing property obtained from supplying.

A Queensland man who became drug dependent after being evicted from a rental he shared with family members was caught supplying methamphetamine and possessing a ‘significant amount’ of the drug.

Aaron Christopher Penney, 29, pleaded guilty in the Rockhampton Supreme Court on August 31 to 12 counts of supplying dangerous drugs, and one count each of possessing dangerous drugs in excess of 2g and possessing property obtained from supplying.

The court heard police searched a home in Andergrove, a suburb in Mackay, and found two mobile phones belonging to Penney, who was present during the search.

Justice Graeme Crow said a download of the phones revealed Penney was supplying marijuana and meth.

Penney had supplied meth 11 times and marijuana once between July 21, 2022 and August 16, 2022.

Justice Crow said the largest supply was an offer to sell 1.2g of meth on August 15, 2022.

Crown prosecutor Ken Spinaze said Penney was found with a significant amount of the drug in his possession.

Justice Crow said police found nine clip seal bags containing 15.878g of meth, which he possessed for a “mixed purpose”.

He said police also found $5000 hidden inside a computer tower.

Penney was placed under arrest on August 17, 2022.

Justice Crow said Penney had been couch surfing since 2019 after he, his mother and brother were evicted from their rental and had been unsuccessful in subsequent housing applications.

Stressed and anxious about his uncertain circumstances, Justice Crow said started using drugs, first marijuana then meth.

“You found yourself in a very difficult spot and you thought the answer would be using drugs,” he said.

“You became drug dependent. You couldn’t stop using meth.”

The court heard Penney had stopped using drugs while in custody.

Justice Crow sentenced Penney to 2.5 years prison, with immediate parole and declared 379 days of pre-sentence custody as time already served.