Paul Wesley Christensen, known as "Lumpy” gives evidence over drug supply on the Central Coast

A Central Coast drug dealer known as Lumpy has told a court what led him down the path of drug supply during his sentence hearing.

A Tumbi Umbi man known as “Lumpy” says he lost his family, friends and dignity after getting involved in the supply of the drug ice across the Central Coast.

Paul Wesley Christensen gave evidence from jail via audio visual link at his sentence hearing at Gosford District Court on Friday.

The 53-year-old previously pleaded guilty to the supply of a prohibited drug greater than indictable quantity but less than commercial quantity between July and October 2020 in Tumbi Umbi.

“I have used ice for approximately 15 years,” Mr Christensen told the court.

The court heard Mr Christensen operated a building company known as Advance Building Systems until 2010 when the business went bankrupt.

Mr Christensen will be sentenced on May 31. Picture: David Swift

Mr Christensen said in 2010 he not only lost his business, house in Erskine Park and assets but his marriage also broke down and his drug use increased.

“I was using maybe a couple of grams a day,” the father of two said.

“It was not very good. I lost my family, friends, all my belongings. I lost my dignity, it was a nasty drug for me.

“I am very sorry I dealt ice in the community. I understand the ruthless nature of it. I have had a long time to think about it in jail … I am truly sorry for my actions.”

The court heard Mr Christensen supplied drugs in the community in order to pay off a $25,000 debt accrued due to his addiction.

Mr Christensen said he had been using ice for 15 years.

When questioned about how he received the money to buy drugs – in particular one instance where he bought 214g of methylamphetamine for $63,950 – Mr Christensen said the money was given to him.

“The dealer was giving it to me on credit to pay my debt,” he said.

“Then I would sell it and then pay them the money for it. I never had any money upfront.”

The court heard that during Mr Christensen’s offending period, he decreased his debt from $25,000 to $1300.

A set of agreed facts tendered to the court state that Mr Christensen, who was known as Lumpy or Lump, agreed to supply 30.15g of methylamphetamine across 28 transactions.

He also pleaded guilty to supplying a prohibited drug greater than an indictable quantity between July and September 2020, with the facts saying Mr Christensen agreed to purchase 214g of methylamphetamine across eight transactions.

Three other charges of supply prohibited drugs, one charge of possess prohibited drug and a charge of deal with proceeds of crime ($742) will also be taken into account on sentencing.

The facts stated that in February 2020 police started investigations as part of Strike Force Harle into the supply of methylamphetamine across the Central Coast.

Mobile phone intercepts between March and October 2020 led police to the arrest of Mr Christensen.

Some of the deals were carried out at McDonalds, Mingara.

The court heard that Mr Christensen was the up-supplier of another man the police were investigating. Mr Christensen was also in regular contact with his up-supplier and their associates for the purchase of drugs.

Supply amounts varied in weight between 0.1g to 3.5g, while the deals were carried out in and around Tumbi Umbi, Bateau Bay, The Entrance, Chittaway and Toowoon Bay.

Phone intercepts during the time revealed Mr Christensen met up with people at the McDonalds at Mingara and Bateau Bay, Bay Village, carparks and an unidentified surf club.

Mr Christensen’s defence argued that his dealing was “street level” while the prosecution says it was more as he was an “upline suppler”.

The court heard Mr Christensen had been in custody since his arrest for 18 months and 16 days. His defence said given his time already spent in custody, he could be released on an Intensive Corrections Order with strict supervision orders. He also has a partner in The Entrance that he will live with if released.

Mr Christensen will be sentenced on May 31.