Man lands relative in court after dropping off toolbox filled with drugs at his house
A TENNANT Creek man has avoided extra jail time after he dropped a toolbox filled with cannabis at a relative’s house, landing both of them in court on drug charges
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A TENNANT Creek man has avoided extra jail time with a suspended sentence after he dropped a toolbox filled with cannabis at a relative’s house, landing both of them in court on drug charges.
Benjamin Taylor, 39, was found guilty by a jury in the Alice Springs Supreme Court of supplying a commercial quantity of cannabis in February 2019.
That carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in jail.
At an unknown date, Taylor came into possession of the drugs and placed 563g of cannabis into a toolbox that he dropped off at the house of a relative who wasn’t at home.
The court heard Taylor’s relative was also subsequently charged after the toolbox was dropped off at his house.
Taylor’s relative pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis last year but he was not given any jail time due to his minimal role in the offending.
When Taylor’s relative fronted court last year, the hearing lasted only six minutes before he walked free on a good behaviour bond.
Acting Justice Dean Mildren said there was no evidence of what Taylor intended to do with the cannabis.
“On the facts, it appears that the purpose of this was to arrange for the safekeeping of the cannabis,” he said.
“There is a presumption of supply for commercial gain but the prosecutor concedes that on the evidence that should find that the presumption has been rebutted.”
Taylor spent a total of 13 days in jail for the offending before being granted bail under conditions, including wearing a monitoring device.
Justice Mildren said the offending was on the lower end of the scale because the amount was just above the commercial threshold.
“Supplying cannabis is a serious offence, particularly through the risk that the cannabis or some of it is likely to find its way into an Aboriginal community,” he said.
“Cannabis is a dangerous drug which has the potential to do significant harm in the community.
“In this case it was unclear what would have eventually happened to the cannabis. Nevertheless there must be a prison sentence to show you and others that the supply of a commercial quantity of cannabis is a serious offence.”
Taylor was sentenced to two years in jail suspended immediately.
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“In this case it was unclear what would have eventually happened to the cannabis. Nevertheless there must be a prison sentence to show you and others that the supply of a commercial quantity of cannabis is a serious offence.”
Taylor was sentenced to two years in jail suspended immediately.
Originally published as Man lands relative in court after dropping off toolbox filled with drugs at his house