Brent Nathan Jones in Supreme Court for breaching a suspended sentence

A Rockhampton father of twin boys breached a Supreme Court suspended prison sentence for drug offending by committing 14 offences over 18 months. Here’s why he was spared jail for now.

A Rockhampton man breached a Supreme Court suspended prison sentence for drug offending by committing 14 offences over 18 months.

Brent Nathan Jones, 34, was sentenced to a four-year prison term on August 15, 2019 for two counts of possessing a dangerous drug in excess of two grams and possessing drug utensils, and one each of possessing a weapon, stealing, receiving tainted property and possessing items suspected to be proceeds of crime.

The sentence was suspended after 363 days (pre-sentence custody) with a four-year operational period, which Crown Prosecutor Tessa Walmsley said currently runs until August 15, 2023.

Ms Walmsley said since that sentence, Jones had committed 14 offences in breach of the suspended sentence over 18 months between September 2, 2020 and March 14, 2022.

Brent Nathan Jones, 34, appeared in the Supreme Court at Rockhampton on July 26, 2022 for breaching a suspended sentence.

Ms Walmsley said one of the later breaches involved Jones driving while disqualified by a court order on December 7, 2021.

“They demonstrate a continuous use of methamphetamine, involvement in drug culture and a disregard for court orders,” she said.

She said in relation to the breaches, Jones had been fined and had his licence disqualified.

She added that for six of the breaches, Jones had been sentenced to six months’ prison with immediate parole.

She said Jones had no drug related offending in his criminal history after being subjected to parole on December 6, 2021.

“His report from corrective services also speaks to his engagement and willingness to seek further help,” she said.

She said Jones had about three years and two days of his suspended sentence remaining that he was liable to serve.

She said a one-year extension of the operational period would be suitable.

Brent Nathan Jones.

Jones, who did not have legal representation when he appeared in the Supreme Court at Rockhampton on July 26, said he was happy for the operational period to be extended for one year.

He tendered to the court a number of documents, including an email from Lives Lived Well confirming he made contact with them in May 2021 and a letter confirming he had been employed as a welder since July 22.

He told the court he had the care of 14-month-old twins.

Chief Justice Helen Bowskill said although she was prepared to extend the operational period, Jones would find it hard to persuade a judge another time not to require him to serve part or all of that remaining period if he came back before the court breaching that suspended sentence for drug offending.

“You have this hanging over your head for another two years,” Chief Justice Bowskill said.

“You have to have it in your head that if you commit more drug offences and find yourself back here it is going to be a big job to persuade the court that you don’t have to serve part of that term.

“I urge you to do everything you can to stay away from courts and focus on your boys.”

Chief Justice Bowskill extended the operational period of Jones’ suspended sentence for a further 12 months.