Shorty’s Fraser Jones pleads guilty to drug possession at Bluesfest
A Lennox Head restaurant owner has admitted to trying to slip drugs through the front gates of Bluesfest festival at Byron Bay.
Police & Courts
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The restaurant owner of Shorty’s in Lennox Head has been busted attempting to smuggle drugs into popular music festival Bluesfest.
Fraser Jones, 29, pleaded guilty at Byron Bay Local Court on Monday to possessing 0.67g of MDMA and 0.40g of cocaine.
The Lennox Head man was caught by police drug detection dog Marty while he was walking towards the front gate of Bluesfest about 3pm on April 4, court documents state.
Jones told police he had a small amount of cocaine and MDMA for personal use during the festival before being taken to a nearby police tent.
“Located in the accused jean pockets were two small resealable bags, one contained white powder and the other contained brown powder,” police facts state.
The drugs were confiscated and Jones was allowed to leave the police tent and enter the festival.
At court Jones represented himself and said his actions that day were out of character.
“It was a silly mistake, a bit unlike me. I have a restaurant that I’ve had for three years now and I don’t get much time off,” Jones said.
“I’m really sorry.”
Magistrate Karen Stafford noted Jones pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.
“You have no criminal history and I accept this behaviour was out of character,” she said.
Ms Stafford sentenced Jones to a 12-month conditional release order without a conviction.
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