Matthew Keaton sentenced in Coffs court over drug ring related charges

A 36-year-old Coffs Harbour man has been sentenced for his role as a “street dealer” in a drug ring.

A “street dealer” who was linked to a Northern NSW drug supply ring committed his crimes to feed his own addiction, a court has heard.

Coffs Harbour man Matthew Luke Keaton was busted supplying drugs including ice, MDMA and amphetamines after detectives tapped his phone in early 2020, it was heard in Coffs Harbour Local Court on Wednesday.

Keaton had already served a total of 211 days in custody when he appeared before the court via audio visual link for his sentencing.

The 36-year-old initially pleaded not guilty to a string of drug related charges against him but after negotiations with prosecutors, a number of serious charges were withdrawn.

He pleaded guilty instead to four lesser charges of drug supply.

It was heard that the offences took place between March and April last year and involved an association with co-offenders including Soren Alex Lynravn and Karina Jean Alferink, who have been convicted and sentenced on drug supply charges in the District Court.

Magistrate Ian Rodgers said evidence taken from phone intercepts showed Keaton had obtained methamphetamine from Lynravn on a number of occasions for his own use and to sell on the streets.

A 36-year-old man was sentenced at Coffs Harbour Local Court this week.

It was also found that he supplied 20 MDMA pills, 1.5g of amphetamine and 3.5g of amphetamine on three separate occasions in Coffs Harbour in April 2020.

Magistrate Ian Rodgers described Keaton as a “street-level dealer” who was involved in the criminal activities to feed his own drug addiction.

“He has a very significant history of drug use and at the time of the offences his drug use problem was out of control,” Mr Rodgers said.

“He’s certainly not near the top of the chain in terms of supplying prohibited drugs.”

He detailed Keaton’s criminal history, which predominantly involved charges of dishonesty and drug possession.

In determining a sentence, he took into account Keaton’s need for rehabilitation.

“General deterrence must play a role because of the problems methamphetamine poses to our community,” he said.

“It’s obvious that’s a drug … that causes a great deal of danger, violence and grief in the community.”

Keaton was sentenced to 12 month intensive corrections order, which is a jail sentence that is served in the community under strict supervision.