Meth dealer Cameron William Watkin sold the drug to fund his own habit

Police officers forced entry to a Rockhampton residence and once inside, they found the man trying to exit through a window.

Cameron William Watkin leaves Rockhampton Courthouse after his sentencing on November 8, 2021.

A methamphetamine dealer caught in Rockhampton has avoided actual jail time after being sentenced in the District Court on Monday.

Cameron William Watkin, 32, pleaded guilty to supplying meth, possessing meth and possessing a phone used in connection with the supply of a dangerous drug.

Watkin was caught when police executed a search warrant at a Rockhampton house in May, 2020.

When officers tried to enter the house where Watkin was inside, they heard windows smashing.

Police forced entry to the residence and once inside, they found Watkin trying to exit through a window.

In the room, police found a clip-seal bag containing 0.614g of methamphetamine (total weight of the substance).

Officers then heard Watkin’s phone ringing.

“And ultimately that was how the supply (offence) was detected,” Crown Prosecutor Tiffany Lawrence told the court.

“There were messages between the defendant and another person which resulted in the defendant arranging and then supplying the person with a half-ball, or 1.75g of methamphetamine, for $900.

“It is alleged that it was for a commercial purpose.”

Ms Lawrence said in Watkin’s favour was his early guilty plea (some delay in the matter due to drugs being analysed), his assistance with the administration of justice, and the fact it was a single supply offence alleged.

She said these offences were however “an escalation” to Watkin’s prior offending.

The court heard that Watkin had no prior offences involving either of the illicit drugs methamphetamine or cannabis.

Ms Lawrence submitted that a sentence of imprisonment between nine and 12 months would be appropriate having regard to the quantity of drugs supplied.

Barrister Scott Moon said Watkin’s criminal history was “limited” and Judge Jeff Clarke later noted the history was not relevant to these proceedings.

The court heard Watkin was born in Cairns, he grew up in Cooktown and was there until Year 8 when the family moved to Melbourne for a couple of years.

They then relocated to Yeppoon and Watkin completed Year 10 at St Brendan’s College.

After leaving high school at the end of Year 10, Watkin undertook and finished a four-year apprenticeship as a cabinet-maker and subsequently worked for 10 further years as a tradesman.

Mr Moon said Watkin was currently working casually as a labourer in the construction industry.

“Pending on the outcome of this matter today, there is a full-time position available for my client as a labourer,” Mr Moon said.

Mr Moon said Watkin’s parents were still together and the family was “very close knit”.

Watkin’s father was diagnosed with Stage 4 melanoma but was now deemed cancer-free but not in remission.

His mother is currently in Rockhampton Hospital with a terminal illness and does not have long left to live.

Mr Moon said Watkin had started using methamphetamine about three years ago, which was when his mother and father were both diagnosed with their conditions.

“It’s really no excuse and my client understands that,” Mr Moon said.

“At its worst, he (Watkin) was using about half a gram per day, smoking methamphetamine.

“And the supply of the drug... was essentially to re-fund his own drug habit in time.”

Watkin was supported in court by his partner who has a young son from a previous relationship.

Mr Moon explained that Watkin’s partner had said she would not tolerate any further offending from Watkin, and if he did, he “would be walking from the home”.

Judge Clarke sentenced Watkin to nine months’ jail, suspended for 18 months.

Convictions were recorded.