Michael Tuffin: Artarmon drug supplier sentenced: ‘I’m glad this happened’
A 63-year-old man who was part of a drug supply business in Artarmon has been sentenced at Hornsby Local Court today. Read about the full details here.
Hornsby
Don't miss out on the headlines from Hornsby. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Council propose new laws to stop tree cutting in the Hornsby Shire.
- Man who allegedly carried out sex act on Epping train gets bail.
A street level drug supplier who operated out of Artarmon, was in the game to feed his own addiction, a court has heard.
Michael Tuffin, 63, of Artarmon was sentenced at Hornsby Local Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to supply prohibited drug of indictable quantity and four counts of possess prohibited drug.
Tuffin was among five people charged following a police operation targeting drug supply across Sydney’s north shore.
Tuffin’s home was subject to two police raids this year.
According to papers tendered in court, during a search warrant on March 17 detectives found 28.4 grams of cannabis, three bottles of methadone and a packet of morphine tablets at his home on Barton Rd in Artarmon.
His home was searched again on June 30 where police also found 65.5 grams of cannabis in five separate resealable bags on his property.
It also states in a police facts sheet that Tuffin said “the cannabis was for personal use”.
Other items found included three sets of scales, resealable sandwich bags and five iPhones, according to court documents.
Court papers reveal “two of these phones had significant communication” by ‘Mick’ “in relation to the purchase and supply of prohibited drugs” which was referred to in phone conversations with customers as “ice” and “rock”.
One SMS read, “I need an honest and reliable dealer if you can’t be that tell me now I have a habit and I have customers we can’t be fukd (sic) around I have done this 14 years.
His lawyer Eve McWilliams urged the magistrate not to put her client into full time custody.
“In 2018 he was diagnosed with Crohn's disease and his history is confirmed by his niece who’s here. She confirmed he spent six to eight weeks at Hornsby Hospital being treated for Crohn's disease and those drugs played havoc because he has bipolar. He was self treating Crohn's disease disease with those [illegal] drugs,” Ms McWilliams said.
She said he would be greatly disadvantaged if he was in custody because of his age and medical problems.
“He has demonstrated an ability to go drug free. My submission is he can do that again with the right social reports.
“His niece Ashley, she’s a very accomplished young woman, she’s moved to Chatswood and is a very strong emotional support for Mr Tuffin and one that he certainly values.”
But police prosecutor Sergeant Patrick Fairbairn said Tuffin had crossed the threshold in relation to drug supply.
Magistrate Louise McManus reminded the court the drugs were of “large quantities” and were “for sale”.
“I understand part of it is for his own use and part of it is to make money and he’s got a business running and its business,” Magistrate McManus said.
“You have a number of matters on your criminal history, the sad thing is there’s a big gap where you weren’t in trouble at all so it’s ashame you are before the court and for serious matters.
“I understand part of it is for ill health but it also looks to me there’s a lot of unresolved things you need to deal with.”
The magistrate said she hoped this was a “turning point”.
“You need to stop this because they’ve already executed two search warrants. Let’s hope this is a turning point”.
Tuffin said he had learnt his lesson, “I’m so glad this has happened”.
He was convicted and received an Intensive Community Corrections order for a period of 12 months and a Community Corrections order for 12 months.