James Daniel Bonassi returns to Townsville Court after recent life sentence
A Townsville man who went from having no criminal history to behind bars for life recently has returned to court for separate offences. See why.
Townsville
Don't miss out on the headlines from Townsville. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A man who was recently given a life sentence has returned to court to finalise separate drugs and weapons-related offences.
James Daniel Bonassi appeared in Townsville Magistrates Court on Friday morning via video link, after being handed a life sentence in the District Court earlier this year.
Originally the man had been charged with animal cruelty, breaching duty of care with inappropriate behaviour and possessing explosives however police prosecutor Sam Stewart offered no evidence and they were dismissed.
Mr Stewart told the court of the man’s recent life imprisonment sentence when discussing an appropriate punishment for the current charges.
“He doesn’t have the propensity to pay fines,” he said.
Defence lawyer Jess Hine from Legal Aid Queensland agreed and said there wasn’t much more she could add other than that her client should be convicted and not further punished.
Magistrate Susan Warrington said the offending of which Bonassi saw him being sentenced for now would not usually warrant time behind bars considering the low quantity of drugs he possessed.
“For a man your age it’s unusual to have no criminal history then come to the court with such significant offending,” Her Honour said in reference to the District Court sentence.
“Given you’re serving a life sentence, there’s no utility in imposing any other penalty.”
Bonassi pleaded guilty to possessing drugs, property suspected of being used for drugs, possessing a restricted item, drug driving and possessing drug-related utensils.
Magistrate Warrington convicted the man on all charges without further punishment and disqualified the man, behind bars, from driving for a total of 7 months.
More Coverage
Originally published as James Daniel Bonassi returns to Townsville Court after recent life sentence
Optometrist warns light-eyed locals to protect their eyes
As Townsville’s UV index remains high, eye health experts are urging locals to step up their sun protection routine, with new research revealing that many Aussies are not wearing sunglasses.
LNP targets island voters with bus stop, road, housing promises
With just 11 days until election day, the LNP is unloading a bag of promises for Magnetic Island and Palm Island voters — ranging from housing to fixing a controversial bus stop issue.