Lachlan Edward Burton faces Toowoomba District Court for possessing more than 2kg of cannabis and cash

A 24-year-old Toowoomba man, who was caught by police with more than 2kg of cannabis, has been spared from serving jail time. See why here.

Positive steps toward rehabilitation from drug use has saved a 24-year-old Toowoomba man from going to jail after he was found in possession of more than 2kg of cannabis.

Despite 11 pages of criminal history involving mostly drug offending, Lachlan Edward Burton had placed himself into a residential drug rehabilitation program which he left to attend court and, if not jailed, would return to, his solicitor Wesley Seewald told Toowoomba District Court.

Once completing his rehabilitation program, Burton intended on entering another three-month rehab program on the Gold Coast where he hoped to stay, and take up an electrical apprenticeship, he said.

“He realises he needs to get out of Toowoomba,” Mr Seewald said.

Prosecutor Alice O’Connor, for the Crown, told the court a police search of Burton’s home on November 21, 2021, had found a total 2.181kg of cannabis packaged in various amounts along with drug utensils and a small amount of cocaine.

The then 23-year-old was also found with $1959 cash which the Crown submitted was proceeds of drug activity, she said.

Ms O’Connor submitted the amount of cannabis and the way it was packaged suggested a commercial purpose.

When police arrived at the home, Burton had “snapped” his mobile phone in half so police couldn’t access the data on it, she said.

Burton pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis in an amount above the 500g schedule

Ms O’Connor submitted for a term of imprisonment of 18 months with some time actually served in custody.

Judge Anthony Rafter SC was impressed by the steps taken by the defendant to rehabilitate before sentence.

However, Judge Tony Rafter SC said he was impressed by the efforts toward rehabilitation by Burton.

“I just wonder if sending him to jail for three months is counter-productive to what he’s doing,” Judge Rafter said.

“I’m going to give you one last chance,” he told Burton, who was sentenced to 18 months in jail but released on immediate parole.

Originally published as Lachlan Edward Burton faces Toowoomba District Court for possessing more than 2kg of cannabis and cash