Bray Park man Angus Brockbank sentenced for cocaine, MDMA supply

A concreter moonlighting as a cocaine dealer offered up an unusual claim about cancer treatment when he was found with almost $300,000 cash, a court has heard.

A NSW far north coast concreter who was busted supplying an array of party drugs and in possession of almost $300,000 cash grew up besieged by drug use, a court has heard.

Angus Brockbank, 28, was supported by his family when he heard he would face jail time for three counts of drug supply and knowingly dealing with crime proceeds at Lismore District Court on Friday.

Judge Jonathan Priestley detailed how police investigating Brockbank searched his Bray Park home on January 6, 2021 and found 306.9g of cocaine, 98 cardboard squares (1.07g) of LSD and 134.23g of MDMA – all commercial quantities of the illegal substances.

Police also found $299,790 in cash believed to be the proceeds of drug supply.

Furthermore, Judge Priestley indicated a 86.53g supply of meth, possession of 48.2g of cannabis, 11.38g of steroids and 18.4g of ketamine were also found and would be considered as factors in sentencing the main drug supply offences.

Other items leading to a form one charge of dealing with property suspected of being proceeds of crime included phones, SIM cards, a 1kg silver bar, small resealable bags and a package labelled “sterile water for injection.”

Judge Priestley said Brockbank, who pleaded guilty, had told police the $299,000 was for his partner’s cancer treatment but had no evidence before him of any such treatment, noting it was an “odd aspect” of the case.

He said the proceeds showed Brockbank was “pretty good at selling drugs”.

“$299,000 is a lot of money, no matter which way you look at it,” he said.

Judge Priestley added there was a need to deter Brockbank and others like him “tempted” to supply drugs.

“Drugs are such a problem in the community, they cause such harm and devastation to people,” he said.

Barrister Sophie Anderson said her client was at a “significant juncture” in his life and the 18 months and 10 days he had spent in custody had spurred him to turn away from a life of crime.

She said the “intelligent” Brockbank had hopes of studying civil engineering.

“Given the opportunity and motivation he is someone, in my submission, who could achieve a lot,” she said.

The court heard Brockbank had a “neglected” childhood growing up with a father who had substance abuse issues.

As a result, Brockbank was introduced to alcohol and cannabis at the age of nine.

By the time of his January arrest, he was using 56g of cannabis and 28g of cocaine among other drugs per week, the court heard.

Judge Priestley noted Brockbank had drug use “normalised” for him and that it went to Brockbank’s credit he was otherwise an active community member as he spoke to Brockbank’s many glowing testimonials.

“They (the testimonials) speak of a person who is clearly, when he’s not chasing drugs and using drugs, a benefit to the community,” he said.

In his own apology to the court, Brockbank said he was “ashamed” and understood he “abused” his place in the community by selling drugs.

“Drug use and knowledge of the trade became pivotal to chase easy money for my family,” Judge Priestley read from Brockbank’s statement.

Judge Priestley convicted Brockbank and sentenced him to an aggregated five years jail sentence, backdated to January 6, 2021.

He will face a non-parole period of two and a half years, expiring on July 5, 2023.