Shaun Pearce: Profit from drug supply aided man’s ‘financial freedom’ to support family

A man has been jailed for more than three years for supplying ice and cocaine on the Mid-North Coast. With time served, he will be eligible for parole in June 2022.

A judge has jailed a Mid-North Coast husband and father who used the proceeds he made from the supply of drugs to support his young family.

Shaun Christopher Pearce, 31, was jailed for three years and three months on Monday by Port Macquarie District Court Judge Clive Jeffreys.

Pearce appeared via audio-visual link from the Mid-North Coast Correctional Centre, having pleaded guilty to two counts of supplying drugs and two related charges of unlawfully obtaining goods following a police raid on he and wife Kristi Pearce’s Thrumster property in September last year.

Shaun Pearce and Kristi Pearce. Picture: Facebook

On arrival at the property, police located a significant quantity of methylamphetamine, or ice, on top of a mirror inside their Masters St bedroom, according to documents tendered in court.

A further search uncovered cocaine in a drawer in the en-suite of the main bedroom, and a quantity of cash valued at more than $19,000 and $30,000 stashed in two separate safes.

Other paraphernalia, including measuring scales, were also seized.

At the conclusion of the search both Shaun and Kristi were arrested and cautioned, before Shaun told police: “It’s all mine”

“Are you sure about that?” Detective Senior Constable Richard Broomby asked him.

“Yes,” he replied.

He was arrested and taken to Port Macquarie Police Station where he was charged.

In sentencing on Monday, Judge Jeffreys said Pearce’s offending was aggravated by the fact he was already on parole for previous offences, and that the proceeds from the sale of drugs gave him “financial freedom” to support his young family.

Port Macquarie Courthouse

The court also heard that he had been a long-term drug user, which enabled him to counter the worst of his depression and anxiety.

“I accept that he has remained drug free during time in custody and intends to remain drug free in the future,” Judge Jeffreys said.

“There are good prospects of rehabilitation which will be enhanced by a lengthy period on parole.”

Judge Jeffreys imposed an aggregate sentence of three years and three months, with a non-parole period of one year and nine months dating back to the time of his arrest.

With nearly a year in custody served, Pearce will be eligible for parole in June 2022.

He will serve the remainder of his sentence in the community.

Meanwhile Mrs Pearce, who is also facing drugs charges in Port Macquarie Local Court, will reappear in September.

Two charges of taking part in the supply of a prohibited drug have been set down for a hearing on September 3, while eight charges relating to possession, supply and dealing with property proceeds of crime will be ready for committal on September 23.

A further four NSW Department of Prosecution Charges have been withdrawn.