Windale man Paul Norton jailed for commercial drug supply after arrest by Newcastle ice strike force

A court has heard a Windale man “felt useless” when he lost his employment and his life spiralled out of control, turning to drugs before he started selling meth to fund his habit. Read his fate.

A Windale man who was once a mine foreman responsible for up to 20 staff, “felt useless” and went into his shell after he suffered a serious injury and couldn’t continue his employment.

Paul Norton, 55, then turned to drugs, experimenting at first before his use spiralled out of control into an addiction, turning to dealing to help fund his habit.

A court heard how Norton “was engulfed in being a drug addict” which led him to supplying methamphetamine, or ice, across the Hunter Region between March and June last year.

Part of the haul by Strike Force Bunjil after Paul Norton was picked up police in June, 2021. Picture: NSW Police.

Norton was jailed for supplying methamphetamine, or ice, across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. Picture: NSW Police.

Police facts detailed how the 55-year-old would make arrangements to meet his Sydney drug suppliers at isolated locations including at Catherine Hill Bay where he would sometimes conduct drone surveillance, and on occasions use an Uber to be undetected by police.

He would then arrange to meet customers at car parks and various locations across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie to sell “a ball” of meth for around $800-$900.

Police facts stated that on two occasions, drugs intended for Norton had been intercepted by police, including from a person who was parked outside his house at Windale.

Following a three-month investigation by officers from Strike Force Bunjil – who had tapped Norton’s phone – he was stopped by police on James St, Windale at around 8.30am on June 17 last year.

During a search of his vehicle, police discovered eight ounces of ice in a hidden compartment in his vehicle dashboard, cannabis and cash.

Strike Force Bunjil officers discovered almost $180,000 in cash. Picture: NSW Police.

Following his arrest police also raided two homes at Belmont and Windale and a storage shed that turned up almost $180,ooo in cash, ice, cannabis, two electronic tasers and a vehicle believed to have been purchased with the proceeds of crime.

Norton pleaded guilty to supplying a large commercial quantity, namely 1551 grams, of ice, dealing with the proceeds of crime and the possession of two tasers.

On Wednesday he appeared via video link in Newcastle’s District Court for sentencing where his barrister Peter Krisenthal told the court his client was an “unusual man” and his first real foray into criminality was in his 50s.

He said Norton’s sense of self was tied up in his employment and when it was taken away from him in 2019, he was unable to cope and felt useless, turning to drugs.

Norton had cash hidden in his vehicle dashboard when he was picked up by police on June 17, 2021. Picture: NSW Police.

“He decided the drugs may have assisted him but that was a steep and rapid decline,” Mr Krisenthal said.

“He found himself in a situation he was out of his depth.”

The court also heard how he did not feel part and parcel of the jail environment and was often referred to as “Mr Scaredy cat” as he would run back into his cell, while also suffering numerous medical conditions that made his time in prison onerous.

Judge Mark Williams said he accepted Norton had good prospects of rehabilitation, demonstrated a clean insight into his needs and treatment required and prospects of not reoffending were favourable.

“There was a level of planning and sophistication but I accept there was no evidence that he made any profit,” Judge Williams said.

“He was heavily addicted and had no lavish lifestyle, and it was probable to be likely returned to his supplier.”

Norton was sentence to four years, with a non-parole period of two years and two months, and with time served he’ll be eligible for release in August next year.