Heroin addict tells court he’s unlikely to stop reoffending unless he’s let out of jail

“He’s sick of ‘the life’, not sick of life”: A serial Northern Rivers offender has been living a drug-fuelled, criminal life. But he was once a gifted maths student and wants one more chance.

Ryland William Abbott said he had been a part of the heroin subculture his whole life.

A serial criminal and heroin addict who led Northern Rivers police on a dangerous pursuit has said he’ll continue to reoffend, until he gets help.

Ryland William Abbott, 27, appeared via video link in Lismore Local Court on May 27, pleading guilty to several charges including intimidation and unlawful entry of a private property.

His offences were divided into two main crime sprees, dating from February 10 around South Lismore and February 14 around Casino.

According to court documents, on February 10 Abbott, who was on bail, intimidated two victims in a DV related attack, causing one to run into several Lismore businesses to hide out and left another “visibly shaking and crying”.

Abbott escaped police arrest but a broadcast was put out in relation to the vehicle he was seen in.

Then on February 14, when police later stopped Abbott’s car in a patrol, they allege he led them on a car and foot pursuit through a number of Casino yards before being stopped by a civilian.

The court also heard about an incident on January 22 in the Kyogle/Woodenbong area, where Abbott led police on another car pursuit, damaging a Cedar Point farmer’s gate and cattle trough.

However during his sentencing, Abbott’s solicitor Cameron Bell pleaded with Magistrate Jeff Linden to let Abbott out of custody, where he had been since February.

He said in custody Abbott would continue to feed his addiction, which had contributed to his criminal history.

“He’s effectively still addicted to heroin and until today is resolved, everyone is still in a holding pattern,” Mr Bell said.

“Everybody’s waiting on today.”

The court heard there were several treatment options for Abbott which relied on self-referral, making them unfeasible until he was out of prison.

They also heard how Abbott had been surrounded by addiction his whole life, with a mother who started heroin at 15 and a father who died due to blood clots resulting from intravenous drug use.

Mr Bell said it was this cycle that led the gifted maths student to a life of crime.

“He instructs his entire life, he’s been apart of the heroin subculture,” Mr Bell said.

“He’s told me he’s ‘sick of the life’, not sick of life.

“Until we address his underlying addiction, his chances of rehabilitation are fair at best.”

The prosecutor argued Abbott had started the police pursuit “without regard for public safety”.

While acknowledging the police pursuit was “serious”, Magistrate Linden convicted Abbott on both intimidation charges, and sentenced him to four months imprisonment taking into account custody time served.

For his unlawful entry of inclosed lands, he was convicted without further penalty.

He will be eligible for parole on June 14.