Clayton Morris: Drug-addled Gold Coast FIFO truckie learns fate after property crime spree

A Gold Coast FIFO truckie from a “good home” descended into property crime and addiction after his dad’s death, a court has heard, with the sentence featuring an awkward encounter between his supporters.

Southport man Clayton Ashley Morris, 28. Picture: Instagram

A drug-addled young Gold Coast truck driver who went on a property-theft spree, helping himself to mail, keys, credit cards and passports, has been sentenced in a tense affair, as his mum and girlfriend, who has also been charged, sat at opposite ends of the public gallery.

Southport man Clayton Ashley Morris, 28, pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court to 23 charges, mostly related to property, drug and weapons offending.

The court heard most of the offences were committed on dates between March 22, 2024, and Morris’ arrest and remand in pre-sentence custody last month on January 25.

His spree came to an end when he was picked up on Railway St at Southport driving unlicensed as a repeat offender.

A search of his vehicle found him in possession of a treasure trove of stolen electronics, keys, bank cards, passports, and other identification documents, linking him to a series of prior thefts and burglaries.

Throughout the offending period he was busted with dangerous drugs on multiple occasions: cocaine, methamphetamine, diazepam and MDMA.

On other occasions, he was found with weapons such as an illegal flick knife and ammunition.

Morris also pleaded guilty to attending the Southport residence of a person he thought had taken a mobile phone from a pizza shop, and smashing the occupant’s window and solar lights while acting in a manner likely to cause fear.

Defence lawyer Farshad Sarabi told the court his client, a FIFO truck driver who “when working does quite well”, fell into drug addiction after the death of his father two years.

Defence lawyer Farshad Sarabi, of Hannay Lawyers. Picture: File

The father’s “slow decline” from a brain tumour “really impacted on Morris’ mental health, that’s what started [him] falling into drug addiction”.

“He was trying to fund his drug habit by way of stealing things,” Mr Sarabi said.

He said his client had “dried out” in the 26 days he had spent so far on remand, and having his bail denied last month “opened his eyes” to the dark path he was on.

Mr Sarabi added Morris’ father’s estate could also pay for rehabilitation for his client.

Magistrate Pamela Dowse berated Morris for his “disgusting” behaviour and labelled his reliance on his father’s death by way of explaining his meltdown as “garbage”.

“I expect it from people who haven’t had good home lives,” she said.

“Not you. Pathetic, pathetic.”

Ms Dowse asked Morris how his mother, who was present in the court, would feel about his behaviour, and also his girlfriend – but then backtracked after noting on the file the defendant’s girlfriend, Brydie-May Catherine McCreadie, 32, had also been charged with offending connected to the alleged spree.

Clayton Morris' partner Brydie-May Catherine McCreadie, 32, who has also been charged with alleged offending connected to her boyfriend's crimes. Picture: Facebook

Ms Dowse noted how “so far apart” in the public gallery Ms McCreadie was seated from Morris’ mother, and concluded that was all that needed to be known about relations between the pair, and what the mum thought of her son’s relationship with Ms McCreadie.

She sentenced Morris to 18 months’ probation, ensuring his release from custody later on Thursday.

Ms McCreadie has been charged with offences including entering premises with intent, stealing, receiving tainted property and possessing drug utensils.

She is yet to enter a plea. Her charges will be mentioned on February 28.

Originally published as Clayton Morris: Drug-addled Gold Coast FIFO truckie learns fate after property crime spree