Alexander Dean Bennett Burford in court for Airlie Beach nightclub drugs

A traveller out at a Whitsunday nightclub told police the best place to be on hallucinogenic drugs was not the dancefloor. See why he preferred to enjoy his trip in the toilets.

A South Australian traveller using hallucinogenic drugs at a Whitsunday nightclub told police he found bathroom tiles mesmerising when they busted him for possession.

Alexander Dean Bennett Burford was caught carrying 5.1 grams of psilocybin at Magnums Bar in Airlie Beach on July 25, telling police he had gone into the toilets after taking some because the tiles “increased the hallucinogenic properties of the drug”.

Alexander Dean Bennett Burford pleaded guilty to possessing dangerous drugs. Picture: Instagram

Proserpine Magistrates Court heard Bennett Burford was sweating profusely despite it being a cool evening, had extremely large pupils, and avoided eye contact when police found him exiting a toilet cubicle in the men’s bathroom about midnight.

He handed over a large clip sealed bag containing 10 capsules filled with brown powder and told police they were “crushed up magic mushrooms”.

The court heard Bennett Burford was unemployed and travelling through Queensland at the time of the offence. Picture: Instagram

Representing himself in court, the 28 year old said he took mushrooms “every few months” to help with mental health issues including depression.

The former Hamilton Island worker said he had stopped taking prescribed antidepressant medication in recent months because he found taking mushrooms “works a lot better”.

He said he was “very drunk” on the night of his arrest and did not remember making comments to police about the bathroom tiles.

Magistrate James Morton imposed a $200 fine, and told Bennett Burford to “keep off the drugs” as he travelled on to the Gold Coast to look for work.

“Magic mushrooms – they’ll fry your brain at some stage,” Mr Morton said.

No convictions were recorded.