Ned Corbett: Seaforth teen sentenced for drug supply

A teenage dial-a-dealer caught with a sizeable stash of cocaine and MDMA along with tens of thousands of dollars’ cash on Sydney’s northern beaches has learned his fate for supplying drugs.

Ned Corbett in January 2022. Picture: John Grainger

A teenage dial-a-dealer caught with a sizeable cocaine stash and more than $28,000 cash on Sydney’s idyllic northern beaches has narrowly avoided full time jail.

Ned Corbett, now 20, pleaded guilty to two counts of prohibited drug supply and recklessly dealing with crime proceeds which arose after police stopped his Volkwagen Caddy at Seaforth on New Year’s Day this year.

Documents tendered to Downing Centre Local Court reveal Corbett had $300 cash in his shorts, resealable plastic bags containing cannabis leaf, cocaine and MDMA, syringes and 16kg of fireworks in the Caddy.

An Audi A3 also registered in Corbett’s name had $27,830 cash and a “substantial” quantity of cocaine in the boot.

A subsequent search of his home uncovered a small amount of cocaine, a set of scales, empty resealable bags and multiple mobile phones. In total, Corbett had 115.81g of cocaine and 4.54g of MDMA.

Ned Corbett in January 2022. Picture: John Grainger

His solicitor Danny Eid made comprehensive submissions to the court, revealing Corbett was a “long term and regular” user of cocaine who first consumed it aged just 15.

By the time he was arrested, he was using cocaine daily.

“In the months leading up to the commission of the offences, Mr Corbett became increasingly concerned about the impact it was having on his mental health,” Mr Eid wrote in submissions.

“He ‘went cold turkey for a while’ but the ‘paranoia’ prevailed and he fell back into drug use.”

Mr Eid said Corbett ultimately began supplying so he could fuel his own addiction.

At Downing Centre Local Court on October 28, Magistrate Alison Viney convicted Corbett and sentenced him to a nine-month intensive corrections order with supervision and 100 hours of community service.

Ned Corbett in January 2022. Picture: John Grainger

He will also be required to abstain from drugs and accept any rehabilitation recommended by Community Corrections.

In sentencing Corbett, the court further considered charges of possessing explosives without a lawful purpose in respect of the fireworks and prohibited drug possession in respect of the cannabis leaf.

“It’s pretty sad to think at this point even your lawyer says this has crossed the custody threshold,” Ms Viney said to Corbett.

“It’s accepted you now appreciate the somewhat disastrous decisions you were making.”

Ms Viney noted other offenders on similar charges often lack family support and privilege upbringings that motivated them to make better decisions – but Corbett had the full support of a loving family prior to his descent into drug use.

“Others have to do what you’ve been doing to put food on the table, and that was not the case for you,” Ms Viney said.

“You fed on the addictions of others and I accept you were struggling with your own at the time – it’s a circle of keeping people in rather disastrous circumstances of addiction.”

Ms Viney warned Corbett this should be the only time he is ever seen before the court.