Son of Jon Tippett, Maximilian, faces Darwin Local Court on drug charges

One of the Northern Territory’s most senior lawyers has offered a courtroom a $20,000 surety in a bid to have bail approved for his son, who has been charged with possessing and supplying drugs.

NT lawyer Jon Tippett was in Darwin Local Court to support his son, offering a $20,000 surety for his bail. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

One of the Northern Territory’s most senior lawyers has offered a courtroom a $20,000 surety in a bid to have bail approved for his son, who has been charged with possessing and supplying drugs.

On Monday afternoon, Maximilian Courtland Tippett, son of defence barrister Jon, faced Darwin Local Court charged with supplying and possessing a commercial quantity of schedule 1 drugs, possessing a trafficable quantity of schedule 1 drugs, possessing a less-than-trafficable quantity of schedule 2 drugs, possessing property suspected of being the proceeds of a drug offence, and possessing (something) to administer drugs.

The court heard Mr Tippett, 38, and his co-accused friend were driving through Parap on Friday, April 11, when police apprehended the vehicle for a defect.

After Mr Tippett’s friend returned a drug test, police founds drugs and paraphernalia within the vehicle following a search.

The court heard Maximilian Courtland Tippett was “heavily involved” in the community of Lajamanu.

Both Mr Tippett and his friend was arrested and have since been held in remand.

In court, Mr Tippett’s lawyer conceded his client “has priors” but “never any priors for supplying” (drugs).

“He’s someone who has dealt with issues throughout his life and he has, in my submission, been winning that battle,” he said.

The court heard Mr Tippett lived and worked in Lajamanu where he was “heavily involved in the community”.

Mr Tippett’s lawyer requested his client be granted bail, saying they were prepared to go to trial if it were refused.

Judge Steve Ledek. Picture: (A) manda Parkinson

It was heard Mr Tippett’s father, who was in the courtroom supporting his son, was prepared to pay a $20,000 surety if bail was to be granted.

The prosecution initially objected to bail, but conceded the defence had mounted a “persuasive” submission.

After a 15 minute court recess, the prosecution returned to the courtroom.

“The prosecution is not opposed to bail at this stage,” the prosecutor said.

Judge Steve Ledek granted Mr Tippett bail on the condition he remain in Lajamanu, wears an electronic monitoring device, and does not contact his co-accused.

It was also ruled that only a $10,000 surety would need to be paid.

Mr Tippett will next appear in court on June 11 for a preliminary examination mention.

Originally published as Son of Jon Tippett, Maximilian, faces Darwin Local Court on drug charges