Police intercept Stephen Brett Southgate after observed looking over his shoulder while driving

A man who was intercepted by police after he was observed to be twitching and looking over his shoulder was found to be carrying drugs.

A MAN who was intercepted by police after he was observed to be twitching and looking over his shoulder was found to be carrying drugs.

Stephen Brett Southgate, 32, was a passenger in a car pulled over by police in Mundingburra on July 28 last year.

The Townsville Magistrates Court heard Southgate was searched by police and was found to have .56g of methamphetamine, 1.93g of cannabis, digital scales, a syringe and a straw.

The court heard Southgate was also found to be in possession of 52 epilim tablets used to treat epilepsy and 10 seroquel tablets used to treat schizophrenia.

Police prosecutor Cody Rowe said on June 14 this year, police intercepted Southgate driving in Brisbane.

“They observed a male driving twitching rapidly, looking over his shoulder in a rapid manner and looking at police,” he said.

Mr Rowe said police located a flick knife, one clip seal bag containing cannabis, three clip seal bags containing methamphetamine and a metal pipe.

The court heard Southgate was driving while disqualified.

Southgate pleaded guilty to 39 charges including five charges of possessing dangerous drugs.

Defence lawyer Merinda Greenwood said her client struggled with a drug addiction and had previously completed a drug rehabilitation program through The Salvation Army.

“He has taken steps in his life to overcome his addiction, unfortunately those steps have not been successful,” she said.

“Unfortunately he finds himself in the position he’s in today having not being able to overcome that addiction.”

Ms Greenwood said Southgate’s mother and sister were in court to support her client.

Magistrate Ken Taylor acknowledged that Southgate had addressed his drug issues in the past but said he still had a long way to go.

“If these offences had come before the courts in an isolated instance, it would probably just be met with a fine,” he said.

Southgate was sentenced to 30 days’ jail and fined $1050 after Mr Taylor declared the 30 days spent in pre-sentence custody as time served.

Originally published as Police intercept Stephen Brett Southgate after observed looking over his shoulder while driving