Nigel Robert Turnbull, 35, had creative responses about marijuana plants found in his yard

A drug producer told police he found two of three illicit substances in his possession “over the fence” two weeks before a search and he thought one was a spice you put on steak and the other an incense.

Nigel Robert Turnbull, 35, had creative responses about marijuana plants found in his yard including he thought one was “a spice like pepper that you put on steak” and he had used another as “an incense to help him sleep”.

A drug producer told police he found two of three illicit substances in his possession “over the fence” two weeks before a search and he thought one was a spice you put on steak and the other an incense, while the third was a fruit plant.

Nigel Robert Turnbull, 35, pleaded guilty on May 31 in Rockhampton Magistrates Court to one count each of producing a dangerous drug, possessing a dangerous drug, possessing drug utensils and possessing a syringe not safely disposed of.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Sarah Rowe said police searched Turnbull’s then Dalby residence on February 16, 2022, about 11.50am, locating three marijuana plants in the backyard – two in pots and one in the ground.

She said the two in pots were 70cm and 20cm tall and the one in the ground was 50cm tall.

Senior Constable Rowe said Turnbull told police he found the two pot plants “on the other side of the fence two weeks ago” and he thought one was “a spice like pepper that you put on steak” and he had used another as “an incense to help him sleep”.

Nigel Robert Turnbull, 35, had creative responses about marijuana plants found in his yard including he thought one was “a spice like pepper that you put on steak” and he had used another as “an incense to help him sleep”.

She said Turnbull further told police he thought the plant in the ground was a tomato plant.

Defence lawyer Brendan Gimbert said his client’s responses to police were “creative” and he had not heard such answers before.

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale said the responses made Turnbull look like a “smart a---”.

Senior Constable Rowe said police also located a bong in Turnbull’s bedroom.

She said he was busted with a meth pipe concealed in his underpants and a capped syringe in his pants pocket when he was a passenger in a car intercepted by police on March 16.

Mr Gimbert said his client was booked in to the Gumbi Gumbi rehabilitation service and would be housed in a residence near Gumbi Gumbi after the course with potential to gain employment as a removalist afterwards and plans to get his truck licence.

He said Turnbull had seven children aged three to 16.5 years old.

Ms Beckinsale sentenced Turnbull to four months prison with immediate parole and convictions recorded.