Christopher James Martin sentenced for drug-fuelled crime spree

A young Sunshine Coast labourer has racked up 40 drugs, weapons and driving charges in a matter of months after a love interest was blamed for his addiction to narcotics.

The love interest of a Crohamhurst labourer acted as a catalyst for a drug addiction and a several month petty crime spree which included weapons, mushrooms and meth, a court has heard.

Caloundra Magistrates Court heard on Thursday August 11, 2022, that Christopher James Martin, 23, went “completely off the rails” from August, 2021 to early 2022.

Police prosecutor Stu Lydford said it was clear Martin had an “underlying drug issue” which led to his “concerning behaviour” over a several month period.

The court heard Martin had been living a modest life after leaving Maleny High School and beginning an apprenticeship in tiling.

Barrister Clem van der Weegen said the Crohamhurst man’s life began to break down when the lockdowns hit, as he lost his job and his accommodation.

Christopher James Martin. Picture: Facebook

Mr van der Weegen said Martin fell into the wrong circle of mates and was introduced to meth by a new partner, beginning a torrid cycle of crime and “chaos”.

The court was told Martin was arrested multiple times on charges of possessing meth, magic mushrooms, marijuana, drug utensils, weapons, ammunition and several traffic offences.

Christopher James Martin pleaded guilty to dozens of offences in Caloundra Magistrates Court. Picture: Facebook

The 23-year-old was also found with laptops, jewellery and phones on November 3, 2021 in Landsborough which were stolen.

Mr van der Weegen said Martin had since achieved work as a labourer and was not the man he once was.

Magistrate Catherine Benson said his offending was a “horrible time” in his life where everything went astray, but took solace in the fact Martin had been drug free for months.

Martin pleaded guilty to 40 charges including five counts of possessing drugs, four of possessing weapons, and receiving tainted property.

He was sentenced to 12 months’ probation, fined $1000 and was given a head driving disqualification of six months.

No convictions were recorded.