Ronald Heise breaks down in court as sentence given for cocaine bust
A drug dealer caught with cocaine and a large amount of cash during a routine traffic stop in Bondi has broken down in tears as he was handed his punishment in court.
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A drug dealer caught with cocaine and a large amount of cash during a routine traffic stop in Bondi broke down in tears during his sentencing in court.
Ronald Jeffrey Heise, 27, from Oakdale, appeared at Waverley Local Court on Wednesday and narrowly avoided being sent to prison over the incident which happened in November 2018.
Police found 6.3g of cocaine and $2350 inside the car he was travelling in on November 10.
Magistrate Greg Grogin convicted him to a term of imprisonment for nine months to be served by way of intensive correction in the community.
He was also ordered to complete 150 hours community service work.
He earlier pleaded guilty to two charges of supply a prohibited drug and deal with proceeds of crime.
Mr Heise wiped away tears as Mr Grogin handed down his sentence.
Meanwhile, his co-accused, Benjamin Allan Spinks, 27, was sentenced in March and received a prison term of 18 months with a non-parole of 12 months.
Mr Spinks faced further charges which included two counts of supply a prohibited drug, two counts of deal with proceeds of crime and possess a prohibited drug.
The agreed facts stated the pair were driving in a hired Toyota Camry when police pulled them over because of the manner of Mr Spinks’ driving on Beach Rd, Bondi Beach, during the evening of Saturday, November 10.
Mr Spinks passed a roadside breath test but police quickly became suspicious of the pair.
“It was apparent to police that Spinks and the accused were becoming increasingly nervous,” the agreed facts said.
Police searched the car and found a backpack on the floor of the passenger seat. Police searched the backpack and found a total of 6.3g of cocaine in nine separate resealable bags, which had been stuffed into small balloons.
Police also found $2350 in $50 notes.
The pair were arrested and taken to Waverley Police Station where their mobile phones were examined.
“It was apparent that there were conversations relating to the supply of prohibited drugs using normal texts and the app Wickr,” the agreed facts stated.
Mr Heise’s defence submitted a psychological report to the court highlighting he suffered from some mental health issues.
His defence also argued that at the time of the offence Mr Heise had been through a tough period in his life, which included the death of his mother, and he was unemployed and in need of income.
He said he got offered this “poisoned chalice” selling cocaine which was now no longer happening.
His defence said he had taken serious steps to better himself and he was holding down a steady job and relationship.
“The devil loves idle hands and his hands are no longer idle, he now works as a solar panel installer.”
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