The Southport School graduate cops community service for selling cannabis to mates to fund “gap year’ before uni

AN elite private school ­graduate has been busted ­selling cannabis to mates on a gap year before attending ­university

AN elite private school ­graduate has been busted ­selling cannabis to mates on a gap year before attending ­university.

Gregory John Sheehy, 19, will now spend the rest of his study break completing 200 hours community service after being sentenced yesterday in the Southport Magistrates Court.

The Southport School graduate had stopped for a random breath test on Hedges Avenue in December last year when police asked to search a sportsbag on the front seat of his Commodore.

Inside they found 88g of cannabis in separate clipseal bags, scales and mobile phone with text messages discussing apparent drug transactions.

Sheehy was taken to the Southport watch-house where a body search revealed $1000 stashed in his groin ­region.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Chris Lynch told the court Sheehy confessed to supplying drugs to friends for three months.

Yesterday Sheehy pleaded guilty in court to possessing and supplying drugs and possessing drug-related items.

Solicitor Michael Purcell said his client maintained most of the drug was for personal use but he had begun selling to friends to supplement his wage at a Nerang go-karting venue.

“My instructions are the majority of it was for personal use, my submission is that it is not a supply on a high scale,” he said.

He asked Magistrate Ron Kilner to withhold a conviction, arguing Sheehy had no prior criminal history and intended to study business at university next year.

The magistrate agreed to give Sheehy a chance and sentenced him to 200 hours community service with no conviction recorded and ordered the drugs and $1000 be forfeited.