Thomas Proud granted bail on serious drug trafficking charges in Toowoomba
A Toowoomba man accused of dealing street levels of meth and cannabis has been released on bail.
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A Toowoomba man has been released on bail after spending eight months in custody on drug trafficking charges.
Police opposed Thomas James Proud’s application before the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Tuesday, July 29, alleging his bail had to be revoked in 2024 because he continued to offend.
The court heard the 26-year-old had never spent time in jail before.
Criminal lawyer Nathan Bouchier told the court there were a number of factors that justified Proud’s release on bail conditions.
Mr Bouchier said Proud indicated he would plead guilty to the charges, and when sentenced before the Supreme Court, it was unlikely a lengthy jail term would be given, given the small amounts of drugs involved.
He said the charges mostly related to cannabis deals, the largest amount sold being $400 worth, and that the only sale he made while on bail for trafficking was a $10 weed deal.
The bail breach was discovered during a raid, which the court heard led to police finding 40g of loose cannabis and 30 very small cannabis plants.
Mr Bouchier said regarding the meth supplies, Proud generally sold it in point form, and the largest sale was half an 8-ball for $400.
He said the offending was driven by drug addiction, and as Proud was now clean, had the support of his family, and wanted to spend time with his terminally ill father before it was too late, he wasn’t at risk of reoffending.
Mr Bouchier said there were delays in the case being moved to the higher courts by the prosecution, and noted the court did not have time to hear the matter this year, which meant Proud was at risk of spending too much time in prison.
Acting magistrate Kay Ryan said, considering all the factors raised by Mr Bouchier, including a change in Mr Proud’s circumstances since he was last refused bail, it was appropriate for him to be released.
She noted police relied on a bail affidavit written in November 2024.
The case will next be mentioned before the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on November 27.
While Proud’s drug trafficking charges are before the higher court, he has the following summary offences before the magistrates’ court:
Possessing counterfeit money, possessing four unlawful weapons, not storing restricted items in a locked container, possessing ammunition, possessing medication without a script, possessing stolen property, and a raft of driving offences.
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