Mitchell Harris jailed for more than five years for drug trafficking after breaching suspended sentence bond
A carpenter who was already on borrowed time has been jailed after drugs “ruined his life” and couldn’t kick his addiction.
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A self-employed carpenter who was dealt with mercifully last year for serious charges has been jailed after drugs “ruined his life”.
Mitchell Harris, 31, was told life was too precious to waste on drugs and prison after he couldn’t kick his addiction despite being given a chance to turn his life around.
During sentencing this week, the District Court heard police searched Harris’ home on March 7 and found 533ml of fantasy in a backpack.
Messages on Harris’ laptop revealed that he was trafficking fantasy.
Harris, of Woodville North, pleaded guilty to drug trafficking.
The offending breached a suspended sentence Harris was handed in May last year for drug and gun charges, with a judge telling him he hoped he took the opportunity to turn his life around.
During sentencing for that offending, the court heard he was found in July 2020 with 7.97g of meth, a BB gun, $4300 cash hidden behind the glove box, four mobile phones and prescription drugs.
The court heard Harris became addicted to meth while living in Western Australia and working in the mining industry.
He then began trafficking to support his habit, with Harris using up to 3.5g of meth a day at its highest.
“The drug business is a dangerous one, as you found out by being robbed at gunpoint multiple times,” Judge Muscat said.
The court heard after Harris received the suspended sentence, he moved into a residence occupied by other drug users, despite knowing the risks.
“You substituted your methamphetamine addiction by consuming fantasy, and soon enough you were addicted to that, and took to trafficking in fantasy and methamphetamine to support your addiction to fantasy,” Judge Muscat said.
“Despite efforts to overcome those addictions you consistently experienced cravings to use.
“Your addiction to those drugs has both consumed and, unfortunately, ruined your life.”
Judge Muscat revoked the suspended sentence and sentenced Harris to five years and six months jail, with a non-parole period of two months and 10 months.
The sentence was backdated to March 7.
“Mr Harris, for your sake and the sake of your parents, especially your mother, who clearly loves you and worries about you, do something to address your abuse of drugs,” Judge Muscat said.
“Life is too precious to waste on drugs and living in prison.”
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Originally published as Mitchell Harris jailed for more than five years for drug trafficking after breaching suspended sentence bond
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