Karl Edward Anthony Matheson in Rockhampton court for supplying meth

A Central Queensland man who had a strict religious upbringing and has since developed a longstanding drug problem, picked the wrong person and place for a meth deal.

Karl Edward Anthony Matheson.

A man who was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness and developed a drug problem has been jailed after a public meth deal went wrong.

Rockhampton District Court recently heard Karl Edward Anthony Matheson, 35, had supplied a woman with 5g of methamphetamine for $2500 on April 4, 2022.

The court heard police intercepted Matheson’s arrangements to meet with a woman they were already surveilling and the deal itself was captured on CCTV near the cinema in North Rockhampton.

Crown prosecutor Ken Spinaze said the drug was 60 per cent pure.

BCC Cinemas Rockhampton North. Picture: Aden Stokes

Police raided Matheson’s home on September 16, 2022 and found a mobile phone, clip seal bags and electric scales.

Mr Spinaze said it was unknown to what extent Matheson profited from the drug supply.

Defence barrister Julie Marsden claimed her client was someone who was vulnerable “he helped this person out” and “didn’t benefit from it in any way”.

“He says he didn’t keep the cash,” she told the court

She also said her client, who was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness, had longstanding mental health concerns and a drug problem.

“He is engaged with NDIS, mental health services and Drug ARM,” she said.

“He has refocused his friendships and associations on people who are better supports on him in the community.”

Matheson pleaded guilty to one count each of supplying dangerous drugs, possessing anything used in the commission of a crime and possessing property suspected of having been acquired for the purpose of committing a drug offence.

He was sentenced to one year and nine months in jail, suspended for two years after serving four months.