Jensen Mathew Killick-McKinnon sentenced in court for possessing MDMA

A man who spiralled into using MDMA regularly started buying the drug in bulk to save money following a relationship breakdown. Here’s what happened in court when he was busted.

A man who spiralled into using MDMA regularly and buying the drug in bulk to save money following a relationship breakdown has been handed a suspended prison term by a Rockhampton judge after he was caught with just over 5g of the drug.

Jensen Mathew Killick-McKinnon, 29, pleaded guilty in the Rockhampton Supreme Court on August 4 to two counts of possessing dangerous drugs and one count each of possessing a dangerous drug in excess of 2g and possessing utensils or pipes that had been used.

Crown prosecutor Tiffany Lawrence tendered to the court the statement of facts, which were read by Justice Graeme Crow.

Police were conducting patrols in Caloundra on March 1, 2020 at 3am when they saw two people sitting in a car, including Killick-McKinnon who was in the passenger seat.

Police saw Killick-McKinnon look back at the approaching police van and attempt to hide something under his seat.

He was detained and searched by police, who found a clip seal bag containing 5.07g of MDMA in his pocket.

In Killick-McKinnon’s wallet police found a blister pack containing 10 Diazepam tablets.

Police searched the car and found less than 1g of marijuana and a glass pipe in a plastic container under the passenger’s seat.

Killick-McKinnon told police he used the MDMA socially and purchased it for about $800 a couple weeks earlier and that it was for his own personal use.

He further stated he bought the drug in a larger quantity to make it cheaper.

He said he was smoking marijuana when police arrived and the Diazepam belonged to a friend.

Justice Crow said the Crown accepted the MDMA was for Killick-McKinnon’s personal use.

The court heard Killick-McKinnon experimented with MDMA at 18 years old and used it occasionally.

Following a relationship breakdown in 2019, Killick-McKinnon used MDMA more regularly and purchased the drug in bulk to save, the court heard.

It was further heard in court Killick-McKinnon had stopped using MDMA since his arrest and had been prescribed marijuana oil.

Justice Crow said Killick-McKinnon worked for a solar energy company, as a team leader.

He said he was contemplating releasing Killick-McKinnon on a suspended sentence rather than immediate parole, stating, “As soon as he gets back to work the better”.

“I wouldn’t like to see this job disappear and his future go up in smoke if he can’t get parole transferred instantly,” he said.

“He should be back at work next week.

“With nothing to do he might find his way back to drugs and then be off to prison and it is not a good outcome.”

Defence barrister Scott Moon said the most pressing issue was for his client to return to his employment.

“The Newcastle office can’t open without him,” Mr Moon said.

The court heard it could take months for the application for a parole transfer to be approved.

Killick-McKinnon was sentenced to 18 months’ prison, suspended for two years.

The glass pipe was forfeited to the Crown.