Daniel Patrick Watkins interrupts Justice David North to apologise for lifelong criminal behaviour

A man who was selling drugs in commercial quantities has told a judge he was not proud of his behaviour.

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A man who was selling drugs in commercial quantities has told a judge he was not proud of his behaviour.

Daniel Patrick Watkins, 43, supplied methamphetamine over a 2½ week period in 2019.

The Townsville Supreme Court heard Watkins supplied methamphetamine in “half balls” weighing 1.75g and “balls” weighing 3.5g on four occasions.

Prosecuting for the Crown Molly Mahlouzarides said Watkins’ offending came to the attention of police as part of the police operation Quebec Limestone.

“It actually targeted two other persons trafficking in methamphetamine and cannabis by sourcing it in Townsville and selling it on Palm Island,” she said.

“Those two people tried to source methamphetamine from the defendant on five occasions for sale onwards to their own customer base.”

Ms Mahlouzarides said police intercepted the communications and also conducted physical surveillance between the three co-offenders.

On November 21, 2019, police executed a search warrant at Watkins’ address in Kelso.

The court heard police found 2.911g of pure methamphetamine, less than 1g of cannabis, a set of scales, and $310.

Daniel Patrick Watkins, 43, supplied methamphetamine over a 2½ week period in 2019

It was accepted by Justice David North that the drugs found by police were for a commercial purpose and not for “social sharing”.

Watkins was arrested by police and has spent 348 days in pre-sentence custody.

He pleaded guilty to 10 charges including trafficking in dangerous drugs.

The court heard Watkins’ criminal history spanned 14 pages, including 84 charges for drugs, and he was on parole at the time of the offending.

Watkin’s defence barrister Dane Marley said his client suffered from anxiety, depression, type 2 diabetes, asthma and coronary artery disease.

“He recalls having issues with anxiety as a young person and therefore found himself involved in drugs at a young age,” he said.

“He grew up with his co-­offender … and met the other co-offender through him and they became friends.”

As Justice North was referring to Watkins’ extensive criminal history, Watkins interrupted from the dock.

“There is offending of a variety of types including property offending, some violence but there is significant history over a long period of time …”

“I’m definitely not proud of that,” Watkins said.

Justice North replied: “No. No, you shouldn’t be and couldn’t be and it is there for the rest of your days.”

Watkins was sentenced to two years and four months jail with immediate parole.

Originally published as Daniel Patrick Watkins interrupts Justice David North to apologise for lifelong criminal behaviour