Central Qld drug offenders punished in Rockhampton Magistrates Court

A number of Central Queenslanders caught in possession of dangerous drugs or drug items have been punished in Rockhampton Magistrates Court. Here’s some of the latest offenders who were busted.

Here are some of the Central Queenslanders who pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court recently to their offending involving dangerous drugs or drug paraphernalia.

Jorden Tre Gabbert, 22, was found in possession of a clip seal containing 2.4g of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a spring loaded knife when police searched a house on The Range on June 15.

Gabbert pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 11 to one count each of possessing property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence, possessing utensils or pipes that had been used, possessing dangerous drugs and unlawful possession of weapons category M.

Police prosecutor Brandy Butler said during a search of the main bedroom of the home police also found seven used water pipes and a hand grinder, as well as two electric grinders that appeared to be used in connection with the smoking of the marijuana that was found.

Ms Butler said police found a further two used water pipes in the kitchen.

She said police also found two sets of digital scales suspected of having been used in connection with supplying dangerous drugs.

“They also seized the defendant’s mobile phone and saw numerous conversations on that phone,” she said.

She said Gabbert told police he used the bongs to smoke marijuana, the grinders to make space brownies and the scales to weigh the drug.

Gabbert was fined $600 and ordered to a six-month good behaviour bond with a $700 recognisance and drug diversion.

Criminal convictions were recorded for the possessing property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence and unlawful possession of weapons category M charges but not the other two charges.

The drug paraphernalia and weapon were forfeited to police.

Rodney John Gunter Cornwell, 35, was found in possession of a clip seal containing 4.5g of marijuana and drug paraphernalia when police searched his home on June 24.

Cornwell pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 11 to one count each of possessing utensils or pipes that had been used and possessing dangerous drugs.

Police prosecutor Brandy Butler said police found a bowl with less than 1g of chopped marijuana in the lounge room and less than 1g of the drug in Cornwell’s bedroom scattered around a set of digital scales.

Ms Butler said police also found an electric grinder in the kitchen that contained trace amounts of green leafy material, a set of digital scales in Cornwell’s bedroom with green leafy material on the plate, a pair of scissors and a used water pipe.

She said Cornwell told police he used the water pipe to smoke the marijuana, the scales to weigh it to ensure he had not been “ripped off” and the scissors and grinder to chop it prior to smoking it.

Defence lawyer Lauren Townsend said her client, who was a single father, only possessed small amounts of marijuana for personal use.

Cornwell was fined $800 with criminal convictions recorded.

The drug paraphernalia was forfeited to police.

Rodney John Gunter Cornwell, 35, appeared in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 11, 2022.

Emlyn Rose Towell, 26, was found in possession of a freezer bag containing 2.73g of marijuana when police searched her bedroom on June 6 about 11am.

Towell pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 11 to one count of possessing dangerous drugs.

Police prosecutor Brandy Butler said Towell was not present when police searched her bedroom.

Ms Butler said police reattended the address and spoke with Towell on June 22 at 4.15pm and that she claimed to officers the marijuana belonged to her partner.

She said Towell further stated she and her partner had smoked some of the marijuana and what was found by police was what was leftover.

Defence lawyer Lauren Townsend said her client told police the marijuana belonged to that person and that he had left it there and that she had used it a couple days prior.

Towell was fined $600 with no criminal conviction recorded.

Christopher Charles Keilbach, 30, was found in possession of a clip seal containing 5g of marijuana when police attended a house on June 13 about 6.50pm in relation to an unrelated matter.

Keilbach pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 11 to one count of possessing dangerous drugs.

Police prosecutor Brandy Butler said police also found 1.7g of loose marijuana on top of a chest of drawers inside a room identified as belonging to Keilbach, who was not present.

Ms Butler said police spoke to Keilbach at an address on Yaamba Road, Rockhampton, on June 22 about 5.30pm and that he told officers the marijuana belonged to him.

Defence lawyer Lauren Townsend said the marijuana was her client’s for personal use to deal with back pain.

“I have spoken to him about trying to get a proper script,” Ms Townsend said.

Keilbach was fined $800 with a criminal conviction recorded.

Joel Anthony Huggett, 34, was found in possession of drug paraphernalia and property suspected of being used in connection with supplying dangerous drugs when police searched a unit on Denham Street, Allenstown, on May 27 about 5pm.

Huggett pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 12 to one count each of obstruct police officer, possessing property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence and possessing utensils or pipes that had been used.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Sarah Rowe said police found two sets of digital scales, a quantity of clip seal bags with a marijuana symbol on the front, a spoon and scoop, a quantity of sandwich bags and calibration weights in the cupboard of the main bedroom.

Senior Constable Rowe said police also found a whiteboard on the bedroom wall with names and dollar amounts written down.

“Police suspect this whiteboard to be consistent with a tick sheet relating to the supply of dangerous drugs,” she said.

“Police searched the defendant and found a mobile phone and saw a photo of a clip seal bag with a crystal substance inside believed to be methamphetamine sitting on a set of scales indicating 11.26g, as well as text messages with a contact on May 23.

“Police suspect the property was used in connection with a drug offence, namely the supply of dangerous drugs.”

She said police also found a bong.

She said during the search, Huggett displayed belligerent behaviour with police and made several attempts to move about the dwelling.

Police warned Huggett if he continued to interfere with police he would be obstructing them in the performance of their duties.

A short while later Huggett stood up in an “agitated state” and walked away from police.

Police told Huggett he was not free to move about.

Huggett yelled if police touched him he would assault them before raising a glass above his head, “indicating he was going to throw it at police”.

Huggett was then arrested.

Defence lawyer Samantha Legrady said drugs had been an issue for her client.

Huggett was ordered to probation for 15 months with criminal convictions recorded.

The drug paraphernalia and mobile phone were forfeited to police.

Robert Anthony Griffin, 30, was found in possession of 4g of marijuana when he was searched by police on July 3 at 2.30am.

Griffin pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 13 to one count of possessing dangerous drugs.

Police prosecutor Clancy Fox said police were returning to Rockhampton from Emu Park and as they were driving along Emu Park Road at Nerimbera they saw a man, who was Griffin, stumbling on the side of the road.

Mr Fox said Griffin appeared to be extremely intoxicated and was lost.

He said police saw the marijuana in the pocket of his jumper.

He said the offence breached a suspended sentence.

Defence lawyer Samantha Legrady said her client, who worked as a plasterer and was a father, had about eight beers and understood alcohol had been issue for him.

Ms Legrady said it was a small amount of marijuana her client had in his possession for personal use.

Griffin was fined $800 with a criminal conviction recorded.

Magistrate Jason Schubert extended the suspended sentence from 13 August, 2021 for an operational period of three months.

Glenn Michael Chalmers, 55, was found in possession of 1.21g of methamphetamine and a blue Viagra tablet when he was intercepted driving along Elphinstone Street, Rockhampton, on April 5 at 5.45pm.

Chalmers pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 13 to one count each of possessing S4 or S8 medicines or hazardous poisons and possessing dangerous drugs.

Police prosecutor Clancy Fox said there was no script for the Viagra.

Mr Fox said Chalmers told police both items were his for personal use.

Defence lawyer Samantha Legrady said her client was seeing Lives Lived Well and was doing well on probation and that they were assisting him with his drug use.

Chalmers was fined $1500 with criminal convictions recorded.

Glenn Michael Chalmers, 55, appeared in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 13, 2022.

Anthony Ross White, 51, was found in possession of 0.5g of methamphetamine when police searched him at the Austral Hotel in Mackay on May 29 at 1.25am.

White pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 14 to one count of possessing dangerous drugs.

Police prosecutor Stacey Bain said police were conducting patrols through the gaming room when they saw White playing the pokies.

Ms Bain said White appeared to have pinpoint eyes and did not want to make eye contact with police and when asked if he had anything on him, declared some rock.

She said White told police he had just lost his daughter and had been clean for 18 months, but due to the loss had been struggling to stay clean.

Defence lawyer Mirren Smith said her client was a father of four and that his 28-year-old daughter had died on May 24, four days prior to him being caught with meth.

“Before that he was clean for 18 months and was doing really well and this was just a setback,” Ms Smith said.

“He has been clean for a month and a half now.

“He is still grieving.”

White was ordered to 12 months’ probation with a criminal conviction recorded.

Stiiles Vivian Tyrone Grant, 24, was found in possession of drug paraphernalia and a fixed blade knife when police searched him on Sisley Street, Koongal on June 7 at 1.15am.

Grant was found in possession of drug paraphernalia again when police searched him on June 28 at 1.40am.

He pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 14 to two counts of possessing utensils or pipes that had been used and one count of possessing a knife in a public place.

Police prosecutor Stacey Bain said police were conducting patrols in an unmarked car on Sisley Street on June 7 when their attention was drawn to a man, who was Grant, and woman walking away from a parked car.

Ms Bain said police stopped and spoke to Grant and searched his bag.

She said police found the knife, a glass pipe and a set of digital scales.

She said Grant told police he had the knife for protection and that he had recently been confronted by people but did not wish to go into detail about the incident.

She said Grant further stated he used the glass pipe to smoke methamphetamine and the scales to weigh marijuana.

She said on June 28 police searched Grant’s bag and found a glass pipe with burn marks.

She said Grant told police he had used the utensil earlier in the day to smoke meth.

Grant was fined $200 and ordered to a six-month good behaviour bond with a $400 recognisance and drug diversion with no criminal convictions recorded.

The drug paraphernalia and knife were forfeited to police.

Stiiles Vivian Tyrone Grant, 24, appeared in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 14, 2022.

Luke John Trathen, 21, was found in possession of 0.4g of cocaine at Giddy Goat in Rockhampton on June 25 at 1am.

Trathen pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 15 to one count of possessing dangerous drugs.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Kevin Ongheen said police were made aware by security at Giddy Goat that a person had been taking drugs in the bathroom.

Sergeant Ongheen said police spoke with the security officer who stated he had seen a person in the bathroom sniffing a white powder substance off a mobile phone.

He said police spoke to that person, who was Trathen, and he stated he had dangerous drugs in his possession and removed a clip seal bag of cocaine from the front of his underpants.

He said Trathen told police it was cocaine and he had received it from a mate earlier in the night.

Trathen was fined $600 with no criminal conviction recorded.

Giddy Goat Cafe and Bar in Rockhampton’s East Street.

Zachary Paul Baker, 24, was found in possession of 8.65g of marijuana and drug paraphernalia when police intercepted a vehicle in the Allenstown Square car park and searched his backpack.

Baker pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 15 to two counts of failure to appear in accordance with undertaking, and one count each of consuming liquor on a road, riding a bicycle while under the influence, bicycle rider failing to wear approved helmet, possessing utensils or pipes for use and possessing dangerous drugs.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Kevin Ongheen said police also found a glass pipe and clip seal bag with a clear crystal residue in Baker’s backpack.

Sergeant Ongheen said Baker told police he used the pipe to smoke methamphetamine.

He said police saw a man, who was Baker, riding a bicycle without a helmet along Wood Street, Depot Hill, on November 11, 2021 at 6.05pm.

He said Baker was seen swaying on the bicycle and holding an open, partially full glass bottle of Great Northern Beer and was drinking from it.

He said Baker had a blood-alcohol content reading of .071 and was arrested “based on the indicia he was displaying”.

Defence lawyer Grant Cagney said his client, who worked as a glazier, had abstained from using drugs for a significant period.

“He recognises he needs drug counselling and has been suggesting he attend Alcohol and Other Drugs Services,” Mr Cagney said.

He said in relation to riding the bicycle, his client made a poor decision.

“He knew he had been consuming alcohol and decided to ride his bicycle as opposed to drink driving,” he said.

“No one was injured and hurt and he has learnt his lesson about bicycles.”

Baker was ordered to 12 months’ probation with criminal convictions recorded.

The drug paraphernalia was forfeited to police.