Timothy Le Heron: Manager at top investment firm slammed for cocaine possession

A high-flying project manager at a top investment fund who told court his reputation was “critical” was slammed by a magistrate after being caught with cocaine in his underwear.

A respected financial services executive caught with cocaine hidden in his pants was slammed by a magistrate for his complicity in helping fund the eastern suburbs drug trade.

Magistrate Ross Hudson told the court it was hard to understand the revolving door of “professionals” who say their reputation is critical but have “no barriers” when it comes to illicit drugs on the weekend.

Timothy Le Heron, 33, was sentenced for possession of prohibited drug cocaine on Tuesday at Waverley Local Court.

According to facts tendered to court, police with the Eastern Suburbs Proactive Crime Team were conducting covert patrols of Bondi Beach on June 11.

About 7pm police in an unmarked car noticed a vehicle on Jacques Ave off Bondi Beach.

Police observed the car drive down Lamrock Ave, where a co-accused got out of the car and met Le Heron further down the street.

Timothy Le Heron outside court on Tuesday.

After following the pair for 15 metres police stopped them and said they suspected they had been part of a drug transaction.

The co-accused told police she “had a bag” in her skirt, which she removed and presented to police, and when she gave police her phone they found text messages to a supplier saying she ordered two bags and agreed to pay $600 for them.

Le Heron “vehemently denied having any prohibited drugs on him”. He was also searched but police did not find anything.

At this point the co-accused signalled to police she wanted to talk to them out of Le Heron’s earshot, where she told them: “He has it.”

When police told Le Heron they had reason to believe he had illegal drugs on him and would be strip searched, he responded “okay, okay, I’ll get it for you”, reached into his underwear and produced a small bag containing white powder.

Le Heron was placed under arrest for drug possession, where he made full admissions. He pleaded guilty to the charge.

Magistrate Ross Hudson told the court “I need a replay button” for the constant admonishments handed down to professionals who appeared before the eastern suburbs court.

“Another professional before the court. Eastern suburbs. Cocaine,” Magistrate Hudson said.

The magistrate said Le Heron was yet another respected member of society who told the court their reputation was “critical” for their job but was “willing to throw it away in seconds”.

Magistrate Ross Hudson did not convict Le Heron but instead sentenced him to a conditional release order for a period of 12 months.

“You are warned,” Magistrate Hudson said.