Jean-Paul Issa sentenced for drug, firearm offences after Bossley Park raid

A judge has praised a criminal’s journey from living a drug-addled life in a ‘little shop of horrors’ to becoming a proud father. She labelled it one of the most compelling stories of rehabilitation.

Jean-Paul Issa was praised for turning his drug-addled life around. Picture: Picture: Facebook

A judge has praised a former drug addict busted with a cache of drugs and firearms in his “drug den” home in Bossley Park after his “good news story” of rehabilitation.

Jean-Paul Issa, 27, was sentenced at Parramatta District Court on Friday after having cocaine and guns seized from his granny flat early last year.

Raptor cops seized two firearms, weapons, and prohibited drugs on February 25. Part of the haul was 145g of cocaine, ice, MDMA, steroids, and prescription medication.

A 9mm Beretta handgun, .22 revolver, ammunition, $3250 cash, two ballistic vests, a Taser, fireworks, electronic devices and chemicals were also seized in the granny flat and backyard.

At Parramatta District Court on Friday, where Jean-Paul Issa was sentenced after cocaine and guns that were seized from his granny flat early last year, Judge Nanette Williams lauded him and his “exemplary” parents for saving his life through rehab.

Judge Nanette Williams labelled the Bossley Park home “the little shop of horrors” with meth “catering to all the needs of those who wanted to come and party at his place”.

He was charged with three outstanding warrants and a raft of other offences including supplying a prohibited drug, possessing an unregistered firearm-pistol, not keeping a firearm safely, possessing ammunition without holding a licence and goods suspected of being stolen, using a prohibited weapon contrary to prohibition order and possess and supply or make explosive for unlawful purpose.

Despite the serious charges, Judge Williams lauded Issa and his “exemplary” parents for saving his life through rehab.

A weapon seized at Jean-Paul Issa’s Bossley Park house granny flat. Picture: NSW Police

In October last year he was granted bail in the Supreme Court on conditions he stay in a rehabilitation facility on weekdays and with family on weekends.

But he was remanded in custody in October this year after a court heard how he breached his bail on September 16 when he was found by police in a car with a person on bail for charges of commercial drug supply.

The court heard the person was from the same rehab facility, and Issa had permission to leave the centre.

He had gone for a drive to pick up a ute and a fridge.

At court for his sentencing, Issa waved to his family who came to support him.

Judge Williams told the court the Crown could not prove beyond reasonable doubt Issa was part of an organised crime syndicate and instead he was motivated to store guns because he was paranoid about drug criminals coming to ransack his house and harm his family.

Wads of cash were seized in the ‘little shop of horrors’.

Despite doing it to guard himself, she said it was ill-conceived protection and he could not flagrantly take the law into his own hands.

The court heard how Issa’s severe drug addiction, anxiety and unresolved trauma also motivated his crimes.

Judge Williams said he was “drug addled, drug fuelled, slipping into the mire”.

“There can be no question the offender was severely addicted to drugs,’’ she said.

Citing his “moving account” she said he was remorseful with “insight and expressions of regret” for his “shameful” drug use which saw his “descent into hell” that involved not “living at home, but a drug den”.

“Through the sheer force of his family, it changed his life and perhaps saved his life,’’ she said.

“It’s a good news story.”

Issa’s home was described as a ‘drug den’. Picture: NSW Police

Another gun was found seized. The court heard how the guns were not loaded. Picture: NSW Police

The court heard it was one of the most compelling rehabilitation stories she had witnessed following Issa’s plunge into the “depths of hell” to becoming a proud father and son to parents who were “exemplary members of our community”.

“Your parents should be particularly proud of what you’ve achieved,’’ she said.

“Life does have ups and downs. Life does have slings and arrows, and as someone who has had an addiction you need to get through the tough times not … resorting to drug abuse.’’

Issa, who had been convicted for supplying drugs, was convicted again for the fresh offences.

His pleas of guilt allowed him a discount off his sentence.

Judge Williams accepted his prospects of rehabilitation were good but would still require years more help.

“I congratulate you on the wonderful rehabilitation that you’ve made,’’ she said.

“I wish you and your young family on your progress in the future.’’

He was sentenced to four years and eight months in jail, a term that was backdated to October 2021.

He will be eligible for parole on October 15, 2023 — news which prompted his relieved family to embrace and cry.