Andrew John Moussalli sentenced in Maroochydore Magistrates Court for multiple drug and driving charges

A Sunshine Coast electrician and father of three was arrested after police found cannabis plants growing in his house. Here’s what happened in court:

Andrew John Moussalli, 41, pleaded guilty in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday, October 7, to a string of driving and drug offences.

A Buderim electrician has avoided months of court proceedings by being sentenced for drug and driving offences after he was arrested only seven days ago.

Andrew John Moussalli, 41, escaped actual prison time after he was handed a 12-month suspended sentence, probation and fines for a series of 21 offences including producing drugs, evading police and unlicensed driving while disqualified by the court.

Moussalli, a father-of-three, pleaded guilty in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday, October 7, to a total of 21 offences.

He was handed a $7000 fine for evading police, a 12-month probation order for the drug-related charges, disqualified from driving for three years and a 12-month suspended sentence for driving offences.

Police prosecutor James Allen said Moussalli was arrested after police found cannabis plants, cannabinoids, testosterone and other drug related material in his Buderim home on October 1.

Mr Allen said the plants ranged in size from 30 cm to 1.5m in height and officers also found “a cooking pot with wet cannabis (Moussalli) stated he had poured ethanol over cannabis and was making hash” for a friend with cancer.

The court heard Moussalli had also been driving on two separate occasions across the Coast after his licence was disqualified by a court on August 23.

Andrew John Moussalli, 41, pleaded guilty in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday, October 7, to a string of driving and drug offences.

Mr Allen said Moussalli had stolen $138.57 worth of petrol from a Kunda Park station.

Moussalli also later accelerated away from police when they attempted to do a random breath test on September 14.

Moussalli’s solicitor Ben Rynderman said the father of three, who had his bail refused on Wednesday, October 6, has work organised in Biloela.

“He has an opportunity to contribute to society,” Mr Rynderman said.

“He acknowledges he buried his head in the sand and the day of reckoning has arrived.”

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist said Moussalli had a “contemptuous vein” in his body which he needs to address in order to stop him from reoffending.

“Not much has changed in your life,” Mr Stjernqvist said.

“At the age of 41, you’re still growing up.”

Mr Stjernqvist said had the sentence not gone ahead on Thursday, Moussalli could have faced a four-month period before his matters were finalised.

Moussalli was convicted on all charges.