Lee Jay Cowlard pleaded guilty to supplying cannabis to teen

A Hervey Bay dad claimed he tried to help a teen, who was a victim of serious assault, by giving him cannabis to keep him away from drug dealers – but it didn’t work out as planned.

Lee Jay Cowlard pleaded guilty to seven counts of supplying dangerous drugs, including three counts with the aggravation of supplying a minor, when he faced Maryborough Supreme Court.

A Fraser Coast dad, who gave marijuana to a teenager, claimed he was protecting the boy from having to associate with drug dealers, a court has heard.

Lee Jay Cowlard pleaded guilty to seven counts of supplying dangerous drugs, including three counts with the aggravation of supplying a minor, when he faced Maryborough Supreme Court.

The court heard when police executed a search warrant at Cowlard’s home, a plastic container of cannabis was discovered in the kitchen.

It was separated into three packages, with different names on each.

Cowlard was not home at the time of the raid, but later attended the police station and made admissions.

His honesty led to more serious charges, the court heard, when he admitted that one of the packages was for a teenage boy.

The court heard Cowlard had supplied the boy to keep him from having to associate with drug dealers.

The boy had suffered injuries resulting from a serious assault.

Cowlard had since sought help from rehabilitation services and had directed the teen towards getting help as well.

The charges had cost Cowlard his position at the Hervey Bay Hotel.

He had been a valued employee, the court was told, and a character reference from his former workplace was submitted on his behalf.

Cowlard was supported in court by his family.

Justice Graeme Crow said the charges brought against Cowlard for supplying drugs to a minor were the result of his own honesty.
He said while it was indefensible, there was no suggestion Cowlard had corrupted the child in the hopes of profiting from addiction.

He had tried to assist him by supplying him with cannabis, but when something bad happened, with pain as the result, the right action was to consult a GP, Justice Crow said.

“Cannabis is not lawful.”

Justice Crow said Cowlard’s honesty showed he was truly remorseful.

Cowlard was sentenced to eight months in prison, but he was immediately released on parole.

Originally published as Lee Jay Cowlard pleaded guilty to supplying cannabis to teen