‘Absolutely outrageous’: Sleepy, alleged drug dealer slammed by magistrate

A Brisbane magistrate has blasted a sleep-deprived young man facing more than 10 charges, as he yawned and displayed attitude to the court.

Jacob Grahame Court leaving the Caboolture Magistrates Court.

A court north of Brisbane has witnessed an almighty spray by a magistrate to a yawning defendant, facing a list of drug charges.

Jacob Grahame Court, 21, appeared in the Caboolture Magistrates Court on August 20, 2024 charged with seven counts of supplying dangerous drugs, two counts possessing anything used in the commissions of a crime defined in part 2, possess utensils or pipes etc that had been used, possessing dangerous drugs schedule 2 drug quantity of or exceeding schedule 3 and trafficking dangerous drugs.

With his arms folded and yawning while standing at the bar table, Grahame, who told the court he didn’t sleep well last night, was soon shocked awake by an angry Magistrate James Blanch.

“Unfold your arms,” Mr Blanch yelled.

“Here we go again, you get a notice to appear for trafficking dangerous drugs.

“You want to yawn?

“Is this all too much for you?

“Are we keeping you up?

“It’s outrageous, absolutely outrageous.”

Blanch sarcastically responded “I’m really sorry about that”, when Grahame told him that he didn’t sleep well last night.

Police prosecutor Bree Whittaker-Morrow suggested a seven-eight week adjournment to allow for a brief of evidence to be prepared.

Grahame’s lawyer Marielle D’Souza told the court the 21-year-old lives in Morayfield and is unemployed.

“The reporting station for bail would be Caboolture Police Station,” Ms D’Souza said.

After the matter was dealt with, Blanch wasn’t impressed with Grahame’s attitude, as he was seen smirking while leaving the bar table and walking back to the gallery.

“Get out,” Mr Blanch yelled.

“Stop smiling, take this seriously.”

Court was placed on bail until his next appearance, with the condition that he report to the Caboolture Police Station every day of the week.

Mr Blanch adjourned the matter to October 16, 2024.