Craig Adam Balmer: Capalaba ice addict guilty of 18 drug supplies

‘When will you learn your lesson?’: A traffic stop saw a Redlands handyman, affected by ice, confess to his misdeeds, a court has heard.

A Redlands handyman’s traffic stop for a busted tail light went from bad to worse when he confessed to being in possession of ice, having used it recently and to dealing in the drug.

Capalaba man Craig Adam Balmer, 41, pleaded guilty in Brisbane District Court to 20 drug-related offences.

They included 18 counts of supplying a dangerous drug and one each of possessing a dangerous drug and possessing a mobile phone used to supply drugs.

The court heard the traffic stop occurred on January 12 last year in Brisbane.

He came to police attention due to a busted tail light, which revealed he was driving while disqualified by a court order.

During the stop, Balmer admitted to being “nervous” due to being in possession of methamphetamine and having consumed the drug recently.

Capalaba man Craig Adam Balmer, 41. Picture: Facebook

His mobile phone was seized, with police uncovering messages indicating he had supplied or offered to supply ice and cannabis on 18 occasions since March 18, 2019.

Of the 18 supplies, 14 were actual supplies where drugs were handed over.

Crown prosecutor Sandra Cupina told the court some supplies of ice were “gratuitous” and for which Balmer received nothing, or the exchange of property, in return.

Balmer told police he was an ice addict and many of the supplies were to his cousin, who was also a user.

Balmer was issued a notice to appear but was remanded in custody on July 25 last year due to the commission of further offences.

He spent 175 days in custody until his release on January 15 this year, when he was sentenced in the Magistrates Court.

Balmer is currently subject to probation and parole orders.

The court heard Balmer was previously convicted in the Townsville District Court in 2016 for supplying methamphetamine four times in three days.

It was submitted on Balmer’s behalf that he had a good work history, was currently employed as a handyman and was a father of three children.

A reference was tendered to the court from his current boss.

Judge Craig Chowdhury was baffled by Balmer’s actions.

“I don’t know when you’re going to learn your lesson,” he said.

He sentenced Balmer to 18 months’ imprisonment with immediate parole, taking into account the 175 days already served by Balmer.