Nicholas William Thorne had 12g of meth in his possession, 11 years after trafficking conviction

A drug addict convicted of trafficking drugs 11 years ago was back before the Supreme Court on the anniversary for more drug charges.

Nicholas William Thorne managed to stay away from drugs for six years after being released from prison for trafficking drugs, but a relationship break down plus a job lose and deaths in the family saw one Rockhampton man relapse and be busted with over 12 grams of methamphetamines on the highway.

A drug addict convicted of trafficking drugs 11 years ago was back before the Supreme Court on the anniversary of his first sentencing for more drug charges.

Nicholas William Thorne managed to stay away from drugs for six years after being released from prison for trafficking drugs, but a relationship break down plus a job loss and deaths in the family ended in the Rockhampton man relapsing and being busted with more than 12 grams of methamphetamines on the highway.

Nicholas William Thorne, 32, pleaded guilty on November 22 in the Supreme Court in Rockhampton to one count of possessing a dangerous drug in excess of two grams.

Thorne, 32, pleaded guilty on November 22 in the Supreme Court in Rockhampton to one count of possessing a dangerous drug in excess of two grams.

Thorne was intercepted driving a 4WD on the Capricorn Highway at about 1.50am on July 17 at Fairy Bower.

He passed a random breath test for alcohol, but failed the drug driver test.

Thorne admitted to smoking meth and “popping” ecstasy before driving.

Police then had two drug detection dogs search Thorne’s vehicle, finding two clip seal bags of meth and one of six grams of marijuana in a black bum bag concealed in the rear right hand side of the tyre well in the boot.

The meth weighed 4.792g pure meth in 12.67g of substance.

Thorne pleaded guilty to the marijuana charge in the magistrates court in July 2021.

Thorne had been convicted and sentenced in the Supreme Court on November 22, 2010, for trafficking drugs for a few months, receiving a two-year prison term, released from prison after serving three months.

His next drug convicted was in 2017.

The court heard he was introduced to marijuana by older peers when he was 11.

Defence barrister Julie Marsden said her client relapsed into drugs after losing a job, a relationship breakdown and deaths in the family.

“He has demonstrated a very acceptance of his wrong on this occasion,” she said.

“He clearly struggles with a drug addiction.

“The purchased drugs were for his own use and to share with a friend.”

Nicholas William Thorne, 32, pleaded guilty on November 22 in the Supreme Court in Rockhampton to one count of possessing a dangerous drug in excess of two grams.

Ms Marsden said the six-odd year gap in his offending after being incarcerated for trafficking drugs could be attributed to relapsing after a job loss, relationship breakdown and deaths in the family.

She said he had a new partner and had formed a relationship with her children.

The court heard Thorne had also started a job earlier this month with a truck and machinery company, and his employer, along with his family were in the back of the court in his support.

Thorne was sentenced to two years prison for the meth possession on the highway, with immediate release on parole.