James Leathem: Brisbane marathon runner turns coke dealer

A cocaine-addicted Brisbane man engaged in a flurry of drug dealing, driven to the brink by triple tragedies in his life, a court has heard.

A Brisbane carpenter and marathon runner sold cocaine and cannabis 18 times in the space of a week, amid his own spiralling coke-addiction driven by triple tragedies in his life.

South Brisbane man James Matthew Leathem, 33, a man with no prior criminal history, pleaded guilty in Brisbane District Court on Wednesday to 23 drug-related offences.

They included three counts of supplying cocaine, 15 of supplying cannabis, two of possessing dangerous drugs, and one each of possessing a mobile phone and Australian currency suspected of being involved in the commission of a drug offence.

Leathem came to police attention when they witnessed a drug supply in the carpark of the Albany Creek Hotel on October 23 last year.

Officers witnessed a man get into Leathem’s vehicle, which then drove around the corner out of sight, before the man returned to the pub a short time later.

Police searched Leathem’s vehicle and discovered him in possession of small quantities of cocaine and cannabis, two mobile phones, and about $1500 cash.

Analysis of Leathem’s mobile phone uncovered a total of 18 drug supplies in the days leading up to the witnessed drug deal.

South Brisbane man James Matthew Leathem, 33. Picture: Alex Treacy

It was submitted on Leathem’s behalf he had “rid” himself of his cocaine addiction, which grew to consume him following a miscarriage suffered by his then-partner, his loss of work due to his former employer’s insolvency, and the suicide of a friend.

It was submitted his rehabilitation was evidenced by the fact he had returned to work and continued his marathon training, which had seen his recorded times for the endurance event plummet.

He also volunteers with RSPCA Queensland.

Leathem had submitted 13 clean urine screens in the lead-up to today’s sentence, the court heard.

His sentence was moderated due to the fact Northern-Ireland born Leathem was not an Australian citizen and would be in a show-cause situation with the Department of Immigration should he receive an order for imprisonment of greater than 12 months.

Judge Paul Smith sentenced Leathem to 11 months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for an operational period of 30 months.