Shaun Bourke sentenced for meth, GHB trafficking at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court

A convicted Shepparton gun thief dabbling in the drug trade has added to his rap sheet, extending his time behind bars.

Shepparton man Shaun Bourke will face another year in prison after pleading guilty to trafficking charges. Picture: Facebook

A Shepparton man with a sizeable rap sheet already in prison has had another year added on to his time inside.

Shaun Bourke, 33, pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges that occurred while he was on bail.

Bourke trafficked drugs methamphetamine and GHB, more commonly known as liquid ecstasy.

He also pleaded guilty to trafficking cannabis.

Bourke appeared in the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court via video link from prison, after being sentenced for firearms charges on December 7, 2023.

Bourke had pleaded guilty in Melbourne County Court earlier this month to burglary, theft of a firearm, theft and being a prohibited person possessing a firearm.

Bourke’s mother Karen appeared in court, sitting behind his solicitor Anthony Coote.

Shaun Bourke. Picture: Facebook

Mr Coote asked for a sentence which would not affect his parole date.

The prosecution argued for a jail term with a non-parole period due to Bourke’s “significant priors”.

Prosecutor Cameron Gould was adamant Bourke should receive a sentence alongside what he was already serving.

“Our position is that there must be some accumulation between this sentence and his current sentence,” he said.

Magistrate Marita Altman sentenced Bourke to 12 months, with a non-parole period of four months.

Ms Altman said the sentence would run concurrently to his current term.

“This is serious offending that was committed while he was on bail for other serious offending,” she said.

Ms Altman said she believed Bourke could achieve parole and benefit from parole.

“My view is that he should be able to apply for parole sooner rather than later,” she said.

Bourke’s drivers’ licence was also cancelled for 12 months.

He will be eligible for parole in the middle of 2025.