Tyrone Reece Sharp sentenced for meth-fuelled Gladstone crime spree

Details of how a Central Queensland sheep shearer’s life “spiralled out of control” during his “serious” meth-fuelled crime spree have been laid bare during his sentencing.

Tyrone Reece Sharp was sentenced in Gladstone Magistrates Court. Generic image.

A Central Queensland sheep shearer found himself in custody for the first time in his life after a “serious” meth-fuelled crime spree, a court has heard.

Tyrone Reece Sharp, 31, appeared in custody in Gladstone Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to 24 charges including fraud, stealing, trespass, possessing dangerous drugs, drug utensils and house-breaking instruments, possessing a knife in public, possessing suspected stolen property, and multiple counts of receiving tainted property.

In relation to the fraud offence, the court heard Sharp went to Cash Converters, West Gladstone, with a leaf blower that did not belong to him and he traded it for cash.

Police prosecutor Jennifer Leach said Sharp also went to Action Metal Recyclers (Gladstone) on four separate occasions where he traded copper and aluminium products which weren’t his for a total of $2153 cash.

In relation to the stealing offence, Ms Leach said Sharp went to Woolworths, West Gladstone, and took items including milk without paying for them.

The prosecutor said on one occasion, Sharp hid in bushes from police and after he was taken to the watch-house, officers found him in possession of a wallet which had another person’s cards and identification in it.

Ms Leach said police also found Sharp with numerous house-breaking instruments, two folding knives, a clip-seal bag containing 1g of methamphetamine and two syringes which he said he “was going to use to inject meth.”

In relation to the trespass offence, the court heard police found Sharp at the rear of someone’s Gladstone property.

Gladstone Courthouse.

He was also found with suspected stolen property including binoculars, two sets of house keys, a car key and a cordless drill.

Sharp had a one-page criminal history.

Solicitor Stephen White said Sharp, a father of three, had worked as a sheep shearer for 13 years but his life “spiralled downhill” after he split from his partner and took up meth use.

“And as a result of that drug use, his life has spiralled somewhat out of control,” Mr White said.

“He is extremely remorseful and embarrassed to be before the court... however he does instruct me that he’s now clean from drugs after spending 73 days in (pre-sentence) custody.

“He’s going to the gym every day and he’s going to church services regularly and has started reading the Bible.

“It is my submission, Your Honour, that he is well on the road to rehabilitation and he’s also extremely embarrassed to be in front of the court with such a large number of serious offences.”

During sentencing on September 4, Magistrate Mary Buchanan said the community was “sick of” these sorts of offences.

She took into account Sharp had spent 73 days in pre-sentence custody and placed him on 18 months’ probation with conditions including drug testing.

Convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Tyrone Reece Sharp sentenced for meth-fuelled Gladstone crime spree