Gary William Johnson, Edens Landing, in court on drugs charge
A Logan man who was so desperate to kick his drug addiction that he “self isolated’’ in bushland has returned to civilization to face court.
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A Logan man who faced court on six charges said he took to living out in bushland by himself in a desperate attempt to kick his drug addiction.
Edens Landing resident, Gary William Johnson, pleaded guilty in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court on June 23 to six charges including possessing dangerous drugs, receiving tainted property, breaching bail conditions and possessing ammunition.
The court heard the 41-year-old was caught by police in Loganlea on January 20, 2020, after receiving tainted property.
“You received a bicycle that was stolen from a house,” police prosecutor Tahlia Boettcher said.
The court also heard that on August 27 that year, Johnson was caught by police at a Kingston address in possession of ammunition.
About the same time he was found with cannabis and a pipe.
“The charges are quite dated,” police prosecutor Tahlia Boettcher said.
“He has managed to stay out of crime for some time.”
Johnson, who failed to appear in court on October 15 last year, said he was under the influence of illicit drugs at the time.
“Around the time I committed the crimes I was on drugs,” he said.
“I lost all my friends, I lost everything.”
“I took myself into the bush. It’s a bit traumatising now, actually.”
Magistrate Clare Kelly said Johnson had taken positive steps towards solving his drug dependency issues.
“You have had a significant drug issue and you’ve made steps to stop yourself from using drugs, which is a really positive thing,” Ms Kelly said.
She convicted Johnson for possession of utensils and ammunition, but he was not further punished.
He was given six months’ probation for the remaining four charges, with a special condition to submit to drug testing.
Both the bicycle and ammunition were forfeited.
Convictions were not recorded for the other charges.
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