Townsville court: Jail for drug dealing parents Daniel Cleak and Chloe Hersom

A Townsville mum was arrested for drug trafficking just one day after giving birth, with her partner also facing court for supplying meth. See what led to their undoing.

Daniel John Cleak and Chloe Kate-Lyn Hersom.

A Townsville couple arrested for trafficking cannabis just one day after welcoming a child have been sentenced in the Townsville District Court.

Chloe Kate-Lyn Hersom, 28, pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking cannabis and possession of a phone used in connection with trafficking.

Hersom’s partner Daniel John Cleak, 40, sat in the dock beside her as the sentencing was carried out.

Cleak pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking cannabis, supply of schedule one drug (meth), and 10 other cannabis related charges.

The pair came to police attention in September 2021 when officers searched the motel room they were living in on Bowen Road and found 18 grams of cannabis, divided evenly between 17 clip-seal bags and a bowl.

Daniel John Cleak.

At the time Cleak told police it was his personal supply and he divided it so he could ration it out over a month.

In November 2021 police returned and found another bowl with chopped cannabis and clip-seal bags.

This time Cleak admitted he’d been selling cannabis to “make some smoke” for himself.

Crown prosecutor Andrew Walklate said there was evidence of 15 customers in total and 30 discreet supplies.

Daniel John Cleak and Chloe Kate-Lyn Hersom

Most customers paid in cash, but those who didn’t transferred money into Hersom’s bank account.

Hersom received in total $2876 from the drug sales over six months while her partner was dealing.

Born in Innisfail and raised in Atherton, Chloe Kate-Lyn Hersom, 28, was sentenced to two years imprisonment for trafficking cannabis.

“The defendants were arrested on May 3, (2022) their phones were seized,” Mr Walklate said.

Evidence found on the phones made up the bulk of the evidence against them.

Bad timing seems to be a habit for the couple, who’d welcomed a newborn child one day before police arrested them in May.

Appearing in Townsville District Court on Wednesday, October 25, defence lawyer Darin Honchin also noted it was Cleak’s 40th birthday.

Justice Katherine McGuinness heard Cleak used to be a rigger and stevedore in Western Australia and has been working for Airtasker — a gig service people call up for odd-jobs such as cleaning and gardening — to earn money and keep a flexible schedule to look after his children.

Four of Cleak’s children from a previous relationship live at home with him, while a 17-month-old and six-month-old he’s had with Hersom are in state care.

Chloe Kate-Lyn Hersom

Justice McGuinness said the trafficking was “certainly in low-level quantities” to customers for “some small financial gain to fund your use of cannabis”.

Cleak’s lawyer Darin Honchin asked for a longer jail term for Cleak in return for immediate parole so he could remain the caregiver for the four children.

Justice Katherine McGuinness did not accept this request, and instead sentenced Cleak to two years and three months imprisonment, with a parole date of 24 February 2024.

Absorbing the judge’s words in court, Cleak starting sighing in distress and exclaimed “f--k” under his breath.

Hersom was sentenced to two years imprisonment, but released on parole immediately.

Cleak and Hersom hugged silently in the dock before Cleak was escorted to the watch-house.

Hersom watched him go and remained outside the closed watch-house door for several moments, standing on her own in a short dress and a pair of thongs.

Neither Hersom or Cleak had any relevant or significant criminal history.

Originally published as Townsville court: Jail for drug dealing parents Daniel Cleak and Chloe Hersom