Stanthorpe man stashes syringe, drugs and tablets in underwear

The 40-year-old was sent to jail after racking up a string of 12 charges including drug production and possession, theft, wilful damage and fare evasion.

Michael Douglas Perry fronted Stanthorpe Magistrates Court on a string of charges including drugs, theft, failure to appear in court and wilful damage, dating back to last year.

A 40-year-old man with a “lengthy criminal history” has faced jail time after fronting Stanthorpe Magistrates Court on a string of charges including drugs, theft, failure to appear in court and wilful damage, dating back to last year.

Police prosecutor Steve de Lissa said at 2pm in Ipswich on March 4 last year, police found a 40cm tall marijuana plant, clip seal bag containing 2.4g marijuana, scissors, a grinder, spoon, pipes and a hypodermic needle and syringe which belonged to Michael Douglas Perry.

Defence lawyer Phillip Crook argued his client’s history is “unenviable” and said Perry moved to Stanthorpe to “start a new life” and “straighten out”.

“The plant was very unsophisticated with no lights or fertilisers,” he said.

Sergeant de Lissa added that at 6.45pm on April 21 last year CCTV footage captured Perry at an Inala BWS damaging a $57 tequila bottle, before concealing two $65 Jack Daniels bottles under his clothing taking them without paying.

A pat down search of the Stanthorpe man the next day at 4.25pm revealed a syringe, 2.2g of marijuana and 18 Tramadol tablets in his underwear.

Sergeant de Lissa said on April 19 Perry failed to show up to Stanthorpe Magistrates Court, and days later he turned up to the police station on crutches and handed police a medical certificate to explain his absence.

Mr Crook added his client suffered a workplace injury two to three days before his scheduled court appearance.

“He was admitted to Stanthorpe Hospital before being transferred to Toowoomba Hospital for a shattered ankle which required surgery with screws,” Mr Crook said.

Perry pleaded not guilty to one count of failure to appear in accordance with undertaking, but was found guilty by the magistrate.

Magistrate Julian Noud said he was “not satisfied” with the argument due to a lack of evidence provided in court to corroborate his story.

Perry pleaded guilty to one charge of producing a dangerous drug, two charges of possessing a dangerous drug, one charge of authority for a controlled drug, failure to properly dispose of a needle and syringe, possessing property suspected to be used in connection with a drug offence, failure to appear in accordance with undertaking, unauthorised dealing with shop goods under $150, wilful damage to property causing loss of under $250, possessing utensils or pipes and fare evasion.

Perry was given 28 days' jail but was released on parole on June 26. He was then placed on probation for nine months.

Convictions for all charges were recorded.