Toowoomba man Damien Lane, 34, pleads guilty to laundry list of more than 25 offences
With the writing on the wall, a Toowoomba man told his partner he would be “doing a bit of time” for what police had just discovered in his gym bag.
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A Toowoomba man found with an array of stolen and illegal goods in his possession has pledged to turn his life around and be a better family man.
Damien James Lane, 34, pleaded guilty in Toowoomba Magistrates to more than 25 offences of drug, breach, driving, and dishonestly charges for offending beginning in January 2024.
The court heard, during a police search of his home, officers uncovered a black sports bag containing 14.2g of crystal meth; at this point, Lane turned to his partner and stated “he would be doing a bit of time” as they had “just found all (his) drugs”.
Also in the home, police discovered illegal ammunition, contraband mobile phones and used drug utensils.
The search further revealed a bevy of stolen goods including a toolbox, antique golf clubs, collectable license plate, a jetski and trailer.
Lane confessed to possessing all the items discovered in the home.
Lane also pleaded guilty to multiple additional offences committed at various times including unlawful use of a motor vehicle, obstructing police, possessing a knife in public and breach of bail conditions.
Defence solicitor Christiane Mullins said Lane was disadvantaged from a young age, adding learning difficulties and behavioural disabilities had coloured his whole life.
“He found it too difficult in mainstream schooling … at that time he didn’t have intensive support in the classroom for learning and behaviour and his disabilities became too much of a barrier,” she said.
Ms Mullins said Lane struggled with drug addiction from early on in life and was determined to enter a rehabilitation facility as soon as possible.
“By 19 he was introduced to methamphetamine, since that time he would describe himself as drug addicted,” she said.
“Around that time, he fell into the wrong crowd.
“(From a young age) he has used drugs as a coping mechanism for every adverse event that has occurred in his life.
“He, instructs that around the time of the offending, he was at the height of his drug addiction and the amount that was found with him was about a five day supply for him.”
The court heard there was no allegation of commerciality in regards to his possession of illicit substances.
Ms Mullins added Lane was determined to overcome his drug dependency and create a better future for his burgeoning family.
“While he previously had times of imprisonment he has never reflected while in prison like he has this time.
“He is particularly ashamed that he’s let his partner down, and his children down by not being around for them.”
Magistrate Michelle Dooley said Lane should be prepared to face a tough road to recovery.
“You really need to be in a good frame of mind when you leave prison, you need to be ready to do the work that you need to do,” she said.
Lane was sentenced to two years imprisonment after serving 122 days with a parole release date of September 26, 2025.
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Originally published as Toowoomba man Damien Lane, 34, pleads guilty to laundry list of more than 25 offences
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