Kiarnu Rangi Ching pleads guilty to supplying drugs

A drug dealer who was busted by police left evidence of his offending on his mobile phone, which he had used to agree to supply meth via text messages.

Kiarnu Rangi Ching, 29, pleaded guilty to supplying drugs, possessing a thing in connection to committing a crime and possessing a knife in a public place when he faced Hervey Bay District Court on Thursday.

A drug dealer’s mobile phone gave him away when he was stopped by police, with text messages revealing he had been asked to supply two grams of meth.

Kiarnu Rangi Ching, 29, pleaded guilty to supplying drugs, possessing a thing in connection to committing a crime and possessing a knife in a public place when he faced Hervey Bay District Court on Thursday.

The court heard Ching had been intercepted on Murphy St, Point Vernon, on April 27 and police had searched his mobile phone.

The phone contained messages in which he had offered to supply two grams of meth for an unknown price.

He was also found in possession of four grams of a cutting agent commonly used with meth and a retractable utility knife, the court heard.

He denied any knowledge of the text messages in a police interview, and said the knife was used for work purposes.

Ching had been on parole and was subject to two suspended sentences at the time of the offences, the court heard.

Kiarnu Rangi Ching, 29, pleaded guilty to supplying drugs, possessing a thing in connection to committing a crime and possessing a knife in a public place when he faced Hervey Bay District Court on Thursday.

Defence barrister Phillip Hardcastle said Ching was one of six siblings.

He said Ching’s parents lived in Hervey Bay and, upon his release from prison, it was likely he would live with them.

He has a four-year-old daughter, Mr Hardcastle said.

“His parents have told him this is his last chance,” he said.

Mr Hardcastle said Ching had ambitions of being an assistant tradesman specialising in air conditioning.

Judge Gary Long said Ching had a lengthy criminal history and it was an aggravating feature.

“You need to understand that in your situation, further offending is just going to lead to your return into custody,” he said.

But Judge Long said there were positive signs for Ching’s rehabilitation, including his efforts at self-education while in custody.

The suspended sentences were activated by Judge Long.

In terms of the new offences, Ching was given a head sentence of 14 months in prison.

The time Ching had spent in presentence custody was to be taken as time served.

Ching was given immediate release on parole.

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Originally published as Kiarnu Rangi Ching pleads guilty to supplying drugs