Cairns crime: Phillip George Pearce sentenced for supplying methamphetamine

A man who supplied meth while living at a mate’s house in Manoora, following the breakdown of an 18-year marriage, has been sentenced in court.

Phillip George Pearce, 39, pleaded guilty in Cairns District Court to three charges including supplying methamphetamine and possessing cannabis. Picture: Bronwyn Farr

A Cairns District Court judge argued that being ordered to serve community service was not rehabilitative for a drug offender during a sentencing hearing on Tuesday.

Phillip George Pearce, 39, pleaded guilty to supplying 1.75g of methamphetamine for $650 in May 2023 while living at a friend’s place in Manoora following the breakdown of an 18-year marriage, and to possessing 4g of cannabis and having drug utensils.

Prosecutor David Jenkins highlighted Pearce’s drug convictions dating back to 2003 and told the court it was not as though he had not been offered rehabilitation previously because he had been ordered to do community service.

Judge Dean Morzone KC asked how community service was rehabilitative and Mr Jenkins said he was performing a service to the community.

But Judge Morzone said other than keeping Pearce occupied, it was not rehabilitation.

“A fine is not rehabilitative, it is a deterrent, and community service is more of a diversion to occupy him,” Judge Morzone said.

The Cairns Court House building on Sheridan Street. Picture: Brendan Radke

“He has so many previous convictions, he’s struggling with addiction, obviously – not a single time, since 2003 and seven occasions after that, did the court offer him rehabilitation.”

Defence lawyer Ashton Marini said his client was currently drug free and working part-time as a removalist.

He said Pearce stopped using drugs when the first of two children were born in 2017, but in late 2022, his relationship ended and he was prevented from seeing his children, now aged seven and five.

“He had to leave the matrimonial home, lost his employment and was living with friend at Manoora,” Mr Marini said.

“He started using drugs to cope with the stress of a break-up and not seeing his children.”

Judge Morzone told Pearce it was time to refocus.

He sentenced Pearce to two years’ probation and ordered that he submit to psychological treatment and drug rehabilitation as required.

“You are coming close to staring down the barrel of going to prison unless you can maintain your wellness,” Judge Morzone said.

Originally published as Cairns crime: Phillip George Pearce sentenced for supplying methamphetamine