Bruce Shoesmith, 29, sentenced in Taree court for fireworks, cannabis offending

A Mid-North Coast man who tried to post cannabis to Qld in preparation for a holiday was busted with illegal fireworks and has now faced court for a “very unusual” case.

Bruce Shoesmith pleaded guilty to possessing a prohibited drug and handling an explosives precursor without a licence. Picture: Javier Torres/AFP

A Mid-North Coast man who tried to post cannabis to Queensland in preparation for a holiday was later found with illegal fireworks and has now faced court for a “very unusual” case.

Magistrate Alison Hawkins spoke of the strange nature of the offending when the case came before Taree Local Court for sentencing on Tuesday.

Bruce Shoesmith pleaded guilty to possessing a prohibited drug and handling an explosives precursor without a licence.

Ms Hawkins said there was a “very unusual set of circumstances” and Shoesmith was lucky to not be facing more serious charges.

“I don’t think I’ve seen that sort of situation before,” she said.

Shoesmith purchased a small post box for $14.40 at a post office outlet on Albert St, Taree about 10.40am on September 8, police state in court documents.

The 29-year-old then went out to his Ford Ranger ute, sat in the driver’s seat and returned about 20 minutes later.

Bruce Shoesmith faced Taree Local Court for sentencing. Picture: Facebook

When he handed the box addressed to a mate’s place over the counter, a worker smelled cannabis.

Shoesmith left the store and the worker called the police.

Officers found three resealable plastic bags wrapped in cling wrap containing 34.4 grams of cannabis.

On November 8, officers went to Shoesmith’s home to investigate.

He told officers he was flying to Queensland for a holiday and did not want to take the drug on the plane, or mess around with buying it interstate.

Police searched a room and found a bag of fireworks. Shoesmith would not say where be obtained them.

Ms Hawkins asked Shoesmith about the fireworks in court and he claimed he found them on Old Bar Beach while fishing one night.

Ms Hawkins also asked Shoesmith about his cannabis use.

Shoesmith told her he worked long hours in a physically taxing job and suffered back pain.

He said codeine in prescription medication caused him unwanted side-effects.

However, Shoesmith told Ms Hawkins he quit smoking cannabis in April – inspired by the news he would soon be a dad.

The court also heard that until the latest offending he has not been in trouble with the law since 2016.

“Two weeks after getting out of custody (in 2016) I got a job and have not been without a job since,” he said.

Shoesmith was convicted and fined $700 in total.

Originally published as Bruce Shoesmith, 29, sentenced in Taree court for fireworks, cannabis offending