Jake Justin Stower was caught running a cannabis plantation at Byfield

A police raid also uncovered a substantial amount of cannabis in various locations throughout the man’s Barlows Hill residence at Yeppoon. Here are the details on how much of the drug was seized and where at Byfield the crop was growing.

A Yeppoon man has been given a jail sentence after he was caught running a cannabis plantation at Byfield.

Jake Justin Stower, 29, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court on December 2 to producing and possessing cannabis, as well as possessing drug utensils.

The court heard that on November 11, about 11.45am, police executed a search warrant at Stower’s Barlows Hill residence at Yeppoon.

During that search, officers found drying cannabis plants with no roots attached, as well as cannabis in clip-seal bags and containers in various locations throughout the house.

The prosecution said that Stower told police he had grown the cannabis in bushland at Kelly’s Landing, Byfield.

Stower said he had planted cannabis seeds at that location three months prior and he had gone to the site to water and tend to the plants.

Stower told police he had grown the plants to make CBD oil as he suffered from back pain.

In all, police seized 708.8g of cannabis from Stower’s residence.

After some discussion in court between the prosecution, Magistrate Cameron Press and Stower’s lawyer Cam Schroder in relation to the amount of cannabis, it was determined that this matter could proceed in the Yeppoon Magistrates Court because there was no commerciality involved.

The court heard the drug items found at Stower’s residence included a set of electronic scales, a grinder, shears, a bowl containing cannabis, a water pipe, and a glass pipe.

Solicitor Cam Schroder said that Stower had suffered a series of work accidents.

“He has a very strong work ethic. Despite the serious spinal injuries he has returned to work and suffered fresh injuries - he’s not far from being in a wheelchair,” Mr Schroder said.

“There is a work claim being pursued.

“Because of the severe pain, he has been self-medicating.”

Mr Schroder said that Stower had “never had any contact with his parents in his life”.

“They went missing at an early age,” he said.

“The normal support and guidance and discipline that a parent gives, he never had.

“He’s very lucky that he’s had the support of his grandparents who appear in court, Mr Derm Stower and Colleen Stower.”

Mr Schroder started to explain that Derm had performed an enormous amount of public service when he was pulled up by Magistrate Cameron Press.

“Well that’s not relevant to the sentence of his grandson,” Mr Press said.

Derm Stower. Photo: Capricorn Coast Mirror

Mr Schroder added that Derm was the carer for his grandson and Mr Press said: “But what he’s done for the community doesn’t reflect upon his grandson, and has got nothing to do with the sentence of his grandson.”

As well as a letter from a phycologist and Derm, Mr Schroder attempted to tender a list of Derm’s community contributions when Mr Press said: “No, I don’t need to know that. What relevance is that to me?”

Mr Schroder responded by saying that Derm had spent 42 years at Duaringa Shire Council when Mr Press again interjected with: “But I can’t take that into account. If you want me to take that into account, you find me a case that says I should have regard to what someone’s grandparent or grandparents have done in the community. You find me a case.”

Mr Press then stood the matter down.

After Mr Schroder and his client returned to the court room, the matter continued and Mr Schroder did not pursue the tendering of Derm’s community contributions.

The court then heard that Jake Stower was on suspended sentences, one for drug offending, at the time of committing these offences.

Mr Press noted that Stower had been caught with a “quite substantial amount” of cannabis but acknowledged there was no commerciality to the offending.

Mr Press sentenced Stower to a total of 12 months’ jail with immediate parole release and that included the activation of the previous suspended sentence for drug offending.

Two other suspended sentences that Stower was on, were extended.

Mr Press also placed Stower on probation for 12 months with conditions including drug rehab and drug testing.