Maryborough man Ashley Hansen charged with trafficking methamphetamine and GHB

An accused serial drug dealer allegedly busted peddling meth while already on bail pressed his hands together in prayer as Legal Aid claimed keeping him in the community would protect it.

Maryborough man Ashley Hansen charged with trafficking methamphetamine and GHB

A man held his hands together in prayer in court after he was allegedly busted trafficking drugs while on bail for drug dealing, with legal aid claiming the “protection of the community” would be served by letting him out again.

Ashley Hansen, of Maryborough, applied for bail at Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday charged with trafficking meth and GHB.

He was allegedly busted in a stolen car on June 24 last year with methamphetamine, GHB, and was on bail when he was allegedly again busted with drugs during a raid on May 9.

About 600ml of GHB, 6g of methamphetamine, 10 oxycodone and five Valium tablets, and a tick book that recorded money owed from 11 drug sales were allegedly seized from his bedside table.

Ashley Hansen applied for bail again charged with drug trafficking while he was already on bail.

Mr Hansen held his hands together in front of his bowed head as Legal Aid lawyer Paul Kidd argued the accused crook should be released to live at a mate’s place in Maryborough.

Police opposed bail, with Detective Senior Constable Daniel Barker telling the court Mr Hansen would continue to traffic drugs to fund his lifestyle and had “show no remorse” for his alleged actions.

Detective Barker also argued that Mr Hansen would try and remotely destroy alleged evidence of his drug dealing from a phone seized by police via a cloud connection.

Mr Kidd said police were required to secure the evidence to prevent that, and it would be “extremely unlikely” he could alter any evidence.

Police allegedly seized twice the traffickable quantity of meth during a raid.

Mr Kidd argued the drugs could have been for personal use and the allegations of trafficking were weak, saying there was no evidence to suggest that the tick book belonged to Mr Hansen or the amounts listed corresponded with drug deals he allegedly perpetrated.

Police allege Hansen continued to sell drugs while on bail.

Magistrate Dominic Lennon said Mr Hansen had “breached virtually every court order known to man” and was allegedly living “parallel lives” – attending rehabilitation programs for drug related offences to stay out of prison, but allegedly continuing to sell drugs.

Mr Lennon refused the accused drug dealer’s bail and he will remain in custody ahead his next court date in July.