Niagara Lodge caretaker Ross William Shepherd sentenced in court over possessing a taser

The caretaker of a drug and alcohol rehabilitation house in Narara has been sentenced after police found a taser in his bedroom. It comes as drugs charges against him were withdrawn after a 2021 raid at the house.

The caretaker of a drug and rehabilitation house in Narara which was subject to a drug raid has been sentenced for having a taser in his bedroom.

Ross William Shepherd, the caretaker at Niagara Lodge, appeared before Gosford Local Court on Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to possess or use a prohibited weapon.

Two other charges of knowingly allow premises to be used as drug premises and posses restricted substance (human growth hormone) were withdrawn.

The drug and rehabilitation lodge is in Narara.

The 76-year-old escaped conviction with Magistrate Christopher Longley sentencing him to a conditional release order for 12 months.

An agreed set of facts tendered the court state that Mr Shepherd was the caretaker and social worker at the drug and alcohol rehabilitation house in Narara.

The facts state that six residents who lived there were “bailed to be at the address for the purposes of rehabilitation for serious offences”.

A search warrant was carried out at the house on August 19 2021 in regards to the supply of drugs.

A taser gun was found in Mr Shepherd’s bedroom (generic image of a taser).

During the search police found 129 Suboxone strips, a taser, mobile phones, 187 grams of methylamphetamine, steroids, butterfly knife, six bottles of GBH and over $50,000.

“The majority of items were located in a common area used by all occupants and the caretaker of the premises,” the facts stated.

The facts stated it would have been difficult for any resident to be unaware of the sale of drugs from the house.

Mr Shepherd was not convicted and sentenced to 12 months good behaviour. Picture: David Swift

During the raid, a taser was found in Mr Shepherd’s bedroom. He told police he had confiscated it from a resident 18 months ago and had forgotten to surrender it to police.

Police arrested Mr Shepherd on August 19 2021 and during an interview he stated that “he had lost control of the facility and its functions” as a drug and rehabilitation centre.

He told police if he had committed any offence, “it was because of his own stupidity”.

Two residents were charged with drug possession and breach of bail matters.