Ian Duane Armstrong jailed for meth, marijuana supplies

A young recidivist criminal with a history of ‘dropping off buds’ and dangerous operation of motor vehicles panicked over something minor before he carried out something that led him back to prison.

Ian Duane Armstrong jailed for drugs, stealing cars in Central QLD

A young recidivist criminal with a history of ‘dropping off buds’ decided to act as a ‘middle man’ for another drug supplier after having already breached bail, a court heard.

His barrister told Rockhampton District Court that Ian Duane Armstrong, had “panicked” when he breached bail and a warrant was issued when he “went on to reoffend” by carrying out two drug supplies on behalf of another person.

Armstrong’s barrister, Maree Willey, said her client was “acting as a middleman on these two occasions”.

Crown prosecutor Monique Bros-Wilshire said Armstrong’s offending this time came to light when police searched the address of the person he carried out the two supplies for.

She said Armstrong was at this residence in Park Ave during the search on June 28, 2024.

Ms Bros-Wilshire said Armstrong’s phone was seized and messages on it revealed his role in the supplies on June 19 of $10 of ‘buzz’ (marijuana) and $50 for a point (0.1gram) of methamphetamine on June 22.

The court heard about Armstrong’s lengthy criminal history which included a 12-month prison term in 2023 for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and unlawful use of a motor vehicle and then possessing 340 grams of marijuana which he received a 15-month prison term for, along with a raft of other offences, in October 2024.

Judge Jeff Clarke said Armstrong’s seven-page criminal history was “very bad” for a 21-year-old.

He said Armstrong’s last two-year prison term, which he is currently serving, had been increased to 2.5 years due to his noncompliance with parole and will not expire until February 2027.

Ms Willey said Armstrong had relocated to Emerald since his release from custody in October to live with his mother and his partner who is now about four months pregnant.

She said he had been exposed to chronic physical, verbal and emotional abuse, drugs and domestic violence while growing up along with being neglected.

Ms Willey said Armstrong had 11 siblings and his mother was the primary caregiver.

She said he had a transient childhood due to his parents’ incarceration.

Armstrong pleaded guilty to two counts of supplying a dangerous drug and one of possessing an item used in a drug offence.

He was sentenced to nine months prison with parole eligibility on July 7, 2025.