Construction worker Benjamin Michael Cashman caught with 20 grams of meth

A man who claimed he lost his job and then used his savings to buy drugs has been sentenced. It was his third drug related offence in less than four years

A Queensland construction worker caught with almost 20 grams of meth says he started using drugs recreationally after losing his job.

Benjamin Michael Cashman, 37, was caught with 19.82 grams of methylamphetamine in Maroochydore last May.

Cashman pleaded guilty in the Brisbane Supreme Court to one count of possessing a dangerous drug and unlawfully possessing a relevant substance on Wednesday.

A YOUNG mother struggling with homelessness and a long-term ice addiction has been told to use a jail sentence to get her life in order.

The court heard it was Cashman’s third drug related offence in less than four years.

Defence barrister Robert Glenday said Cashman had been unemployed for three months prior to the charges and using his savings to buy recreational drugs, but had since secured employment.

Justice Peter Callaghan said the evidence showed that Cashman had no issue with addiction.

“You would certainly have been in jail for the rest of this year but as it is the inference of commerciality in your offending is irresistible and really nothing has been placed before me by your lawyers that would allow me to put it in context,” Justice Callaghan said.

The Hon Justice Peter Callaghan. AAP Image/Attila Csaszar

“There is perhaps a bit of a clue about your situation in the fact that in July 2017 you were convicted of an offence related to a syringe or a needle.”

Justice Callaghan said previous convictions relating to a syringe or needle in 2017 may have allowed him “to some sort of explanation into how you’ve come to be where you are and how someone with such little criminal history could be facing such a serious charge.”

“The way I intend to do things, you should be over 40 years of age when your parole order expires if you can stay out of trouble until then, there might be some chance for you. “

Cashman was sentenced to three years and one month imprisonment with immediate parole release.