Steven James Kerwin pleads guilty to unlawful possession

A Queensland court has heard a drug diversion course ‘didn’t work’ for one young man who was caught with a significant stash of drugs hidden away.

Steven James Kerwin pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a dangerous drug exceeding 500 grams in the Bundaberg District Court on Monday, December 4.

A Bundaberg court has heard of the moment police found more than $17,000 worth of marijuana hidden in the wheel well of a car, only three years after the driver had gotten off lightly for possessing a much smaller amount.

Steven James Kerwin pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a dangerous drug exceeding 500 grams in the Bundaberg District Court on Monday, December 4.

Before the crown prosecutor had a chance to submit the facts of the case to the court, Kerwin’s barrister Phil Hardcastle submitted a single pathology report dated December 1, 2023 which he said proved his client was clean of drug use.

Judge William Everson accepted it, but questioned if one solitary report was proof enough of the 21 year old’s cleaning up.

“Anyone who is properly … trying to establish they’re a drug free person usually has a pattern of these reports,” Judge Everson said.

“I didn’t come down in the last shower, one pathology report on an isolated occasion doesn’t prove anything to me.”

The court heard Kerwin had been intercepted by police on July 11, 2020.

During a search of the car police found a sports bag hidden in the spare wheel well beneath the carpet in the boot.

Bundaberg Court House.

More than 2.2kg of marijuana was found in the sports bag, the court heard, split into five bags with a street value of approximately $17,500.

Police alleged Kerwin was using the drugs for a mixed personal and commercial purpose.

The court heard Kerwin only had one entry on his criminal record, dating to 2020 when the then 18 year old was found with approximately 0.2g of cannabis, 50 marijuana seeds, a grinder, water pipe and electronic scales.

He was sentenced to a four month good behaviour bond and a drug diversion course at the time.

Judge Everson sentenced Kerwin to a one year’s jail with immediate parole.

“That way if your client really is drug free he can demonstrate that, otherwise he might have some difficulties,” Judge Everson said.

“He’s had a previous drug diversion order and he’s gone from having a personal quantity of cannabis to a commercial quantity of cannabis, seems to indicate to me the drug diversion didn’t work.”

Convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Steven James Kerwin pleads guilty to unlawful possession