Jack Stuart Jones, Tate Robinson: Cocaine ring duo sentenced

A pro-surfer and a cocaine syndicate ring leader have been sentenced, revealing the tragic background which led to the criminal group’s creation.

The ring leader of a cross border cocaine syndicate turned to the drug after holding his mother’s hand after she took her last breath dying from cancer, a court has heard.

Jack Stuart Jones, 22, from Benowa in Queensland, was sentenced in Lismore District Court on April 13 after he previously pleaded guilty to knowingly direct activities of criminal group and two counts of supplying a prohibited drug on an ongoing basis.

Co-offender and professional surfer Tate Robinson, 23, from Casuarina was also sentenced after he pleaded guilty to taking part in the same criminal group and two counts of supplying a prohibited drug on an ongoing basis.

The charges relate to 15 drug deals between October 1 and November 18 in 2020.

The matter, heard in Grafton with Lismore courthouse closed due to flooding, was heard by Judge Jeff McLennan who described how the criminal group came unstuck after police stopped Jones’s sister’s car where they located cash and mobile phones.

His sister is not accused ofwrongdoing and has not been charged.

Defence lawyer Campbell MacCallum with his client, Tate Robinson (right) leaving Tweed Heads Local Court on Monday, October 25, 2021 after pleading guilty to his charges.

A task force was established where, after more than 34,000 phone intercepts, it became clear Jones was the ringleader of a group including Robinson, his girlfriend Mikaela Noakes and friend Jed Conroy who have previously been sentenced to a 12 month intensive corrections order and 30 month intensive corrections order respectively.

Mikayla Noakes was sentenced in Tweed Heads court in 2021. Picture: Adam Head

Jed Thomas Conroy was previously sentenced for his involvement in the cocaine syndicate. Picture Scott Powick

Former Gold Coast Titans player Michael Gordon is also alleged to be involved in the group however has pleaded not guilty to supply charges which he will defend in July this year.

Judge McLennan said the runners in the group were paid in both cash and drugs for personal use however it was not established how much payment was made.

He said the 15 supplies totalled in 58g of cocaine which varied from 0.5g to 4g with one supply of 31g in a single night.

Michael Gordon will be defending drug supply charges in July 2022.

Judge McLennan read from a letter of apology from Jones, who he said was suffering from PTSD following the death of his mother at the age of 13.

“She was not only my mother but my best friend,” the letter read.

“To watch her die holding her hand as she took her last breath, it lost the last piece of sanity and clarity I had left.”

He noted Jones had also never applied for bail which he said showed remorse and acceptance of responsibility.

Judge McLennan summarised Robinson as having a normal and happy childhood and with great career prospects as a surfer and surfboard shaper.

Tate Robinson is a professional surfer.

He commended Robinson on his good behaviour on bail, taking it upon himself to see a psychologist as well as volunteering to work with people with disabilities.

He said Robinson’s father had written a letter indicating massive positive changes in his son’s behaviour.

Robinson was sentenced to a two year and four month intensive corrections order with a condition to not take illicit drugs.

Jones was sentenced to three years imprisonment, with the non-parole period backdated to November 21, 2022 when he went into custody and to expire on April 13.

Judge McLennan left Jones with one final message before rising: “The best way you can make your mother proud now is to go on to be the son she quite obviously loved.”