Cody Clifford Redding: Inala man avoids jail after pleading guilty to drug charges

A 25-year-old Inala man has returned to court after being caught with illegal drugs. Read why the magistrate gave him a second chance.

A 25-year-old Inala man has walked free from court after pleading guilty to a string of charges, including drug possession.

Cody Clifford Redding, who had a long-standing heroin addiction, pleaded guilty in Richlands Magistrates Court on Wednesday to two counts of drug possession and two counts of stealing.

He also pleaded guilty to one count of possessing property suspected of having been used in connection with the commision of a drug offence.

The court heard on December 16, 2021 police conducted a search warrant at an address where they found 1.4g of methamphetamine. They later found two more bags of methamphetamine weighing 0.38g each.

More drug charges followed, including one count of drug possession on February 23 this year. Police conducted a search warrant at an Inala address and found 1.4g of methamphetamine.

An electric push bike, a smashed iPhone and electronic scales were also found.

Cody Redding leaving Richlands Magistrates Court. PHOTO: Penelope Pelecas

Redding’s lawyer later confirmed his client paid for the stolen push bike and that the iPhone was dumped at his home after someone tried to sell it to him.

They said Redding recently enrolled in an opioid treatment program.

Magistrate Aaron Simpson said he took into account Redding’s efforts to get clean.

“I’m going to give you another go,’’ Mr Simpson said.

“I think there’s still an opportunity to work with you.

“But you’ve got to buy into this, you’ve got to commit to yourself and I know that’s difficult if you’re a drug user.

“You need to stop it, it’s a dangerous drug and it’s doing lots of havoc to your own life.”

Mr Simpson handed Redding a head sentence of 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended in full for two years.

“I think keeping you in the community with something over your head is a better outcome for the community,” he said.

“I know if I put you in prison you won’t have access to this (opioid treatment) program.”