Aaron Rhys Parker fined in Maroochydore Magistrates Court for dealing drugs

A Sunshine Coast ex-salesman who said it was against his morals to get government assistance when he lost his job started dealing drugs to boost his savings.

A 23-year-old former salesman who said it was against his morals to go on the dole admitted to dealing drugs to boost his savings.

Aaron Rhys Parker was fined $500 after he pleaded guilty in Maroochydore Magistrates Court to possessing and supplying dangerous drugs between October 1 and 14.

Police prosecutor Michael Ruddiman said police pulled over Parker while driving a red Holden Cruze sedan near a Sippy Downs shopping centre on October 14.

Sergeant Ruddiman said police saw Parker putting items underneath the seat before he admitted to possessing and supplying drugs.

“He declared there was a package of cannabis underneath, lo and behold there was and it contained 10 clip seal bags with cannabis buds,” Sergeant Ruddiman said.

Parker told police he had started selling the drug to friends since the company he worked for as a salesman went into liquidation during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Magistrate Christopher Callaghan asked if the Nambour man received any government assistance.

Parker said going on the dole or jobseeker was against his standards.

“Morally I didn’t want be one of those people that did that,” Parker said.

“I’ve lived off my savings and worked to break even for so long to do that encase times like this would come.”

Sergeant Ruddiman said he was young and suggested a fine as an appropriate.

Duty lawyer Neesha Maidwell said Parker had no criminal history and asked for no conviction to be recorded.

Ms Maidwell said he was charged off his own admissions.

The court hear he smoked marijuana for his anxiety.

A conviction was not recorded.