Michael Killeen in court for possessing dangerous drugs

A Fraser Coast father who found himself in and out of jail for meth crimes has been warned he could find himself behind bars again if he goes “off the rails”.

Michael Killeen, 34, pleaded guilty to possessing dangerous drugs, unlawful possession of a weapon, driving without a licence and other offences when he appeared before court last week.

A father has been warned not to send himself to prison by reoffending after he faced Maryborough Supreme Court on multiple drug offences.

Michael Killeen, 34, pleaded guilty to possessing dangerous drugs, unlawful possession of a weapon, driving without a licence and other offences when he appeared before court last week.

Crown prosecutor Christopher Cook described the offending as “serious” particularly as it was committed in the face of court orders.

The court heard Killeen had been busted with drugs on multiple occasions.

On January 20, 2021, Killeen had been caught with three grams of meth, the court was told.

Then on February 22, 2021, he was caught with small amounts of meth, 185.5 grams of cannabis and Oxycodone tablets.

On June 25, 2021, Killeen was caught driving unlicensed by police.

A search of the vehicle also revealed 8.5 grams of meth, the court heard.

The drugs were for a dual purpose, the court was told, for his own use and commercial use.

After being caught on June 25, Killeen spent 50 days in custody, but Justice Peter Applegarth said that had not been enough to break Killeen’s addiction.

On March 3, 2022, Killeen, was stopped by police while riding a motor scooter and was again found to be in possession of meth totalling 4.8 grams and a mobile phone used for selling drugs.

He then spent 22 days in custody before being released on bail.

Since then, Killeen had made efforts to rehabilitate, the court heard, and he was currently in a relationship and she was supporting him in court.

Justice Applegarth declared the time Killen had spent in custody as time served.

He sentenced him to three years in prison with immediate release on parole.

But Justice Applegarth told Killeen he “had a fair bit ahead of you” in terms of his recovery.

He warned him against going “off the rails” and using drugs again.

“It’s up to you to decide whether you send yourself to prison for two and a half years,” Justice Applegarth said.

“You know what jail’s like, I don’t have to give you a lecture about that.

“Your future is in your hands, your children’s future is in your hands.”

Justice Applegarth said Killeen had a “commendable rehabilitation” so far.

But he warned him that no one was bulletproof and urged him to reach out for help as needed.