Leumeah man Henok Hailu, convicted and sentenced over MDMA supply in Bondi

A university student with a distinction average, who was nabbed selling MDMA in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, was moonlighting as a dial a dealer to help pay his family’s mortgage, a court heard.

A “bright” university student with a distinction average has been called a “very lucky boy” for avoiding jail time after he was nabbed selling party drugs in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

Leumeah man Henok Hailu, 24, faced Waverley Local on Monday after pleading guilty to dealing with proceeds of crime and supplying a prohibited drug.

The student was caught selling 10 capsules of MDMA to a buyer at Bondi Beach in November last year after an interaction which police observed as “dial-a-dealer behaviour”.

On Monday, the court heard Hailu had a distinction average at university and was in the process of starting his own business.

However, he became caught up in supplying drugs due to financial pressures within his family, which saw him required to help pay a mortgage.

Henok Hailu leaves Waverley Local Court.

High profile solicitor Paul McGirr represented Hailu, saying the matters were not his client’s “first rodeo”, as he had previously been before the court for supplying cannabis.

Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge described the circumstances of Hailu’s arrest as “predictable as usual”, referring to the high volume of “dial-a-dealer” type arrests occurring in the area.

The university student was sentenced to a 12 month community corrections order.

“Unfortunately these young kids they stick out like a beacon in Double Bay, The Clock. It’s so transparent they’re so stupid,” she said.

“I accepted he was motivated financially, he’s quite bright … distinction average, that’s the sad part about it. What a waste. I’d hate to see a young man like that go to jail.

“If you do this again you’re going to jail. Your feet won’t touch the ground.”

Hailu was convicted and sentenced to a 12 month community corrections order.

Outside court Mr McGirr described his client as being “an extremely lucky boy” for dodging jail time.

“He’s feeding on other people's habits, he doesn’t know what drugs are in there or what he was selling there,” Mr McGirr said

“While he might think he’s got justified means to actually be dealing drugs he’ll be carrying this conviction for the rest of his life.”