Julian Kratochvil in court for possessing, dealing meth and cannabis

An employee at Gympie's finest restaurant who also worked as a barman in the CBD has been exposed as a meth dealer and former drug trafficker. Read what was said in court.

An employee of two of Gympie’s most popular venues, The Queenslander Hotel in Mary Street, and Kingston House Impressions, was given his “last chance” by a judge after he was exposed as a meth dealer in court.

Julian Kratochvil, 26, pleaded guilty to six charges in Gympie District Court on Wednesday, including two charges of supplying methamphetamine and cannabis, possessing cannabis, and three summary charges of possessing utensils.

Kratochvil was supported by his partner in the public gallery, who hugged him tightly before his appearance.

The court heard police tracked Kratochvil down after his friend was arrested on an unrelated matter in June 2021, and after going through his phone, found Facebook messages from June 2020 sent from Kratochvil about drug deals.

Julian Kratochvil pleaded guilty to a number of drug offences, including dealing $450 worth of meth. Photo: Facebook

In these, Kratochvil implied he had sold $450 worth of methamphetamine, and $50 worth of cannabis, it heard.

In July 2021, police searched Kratochvil’s house, where they found cannabis, clip seal bags, numerous bongs and a grinder.

Kratochvil admitted the items were his, but originally denied the facebook messages were from him.

He later came clean and admitted the truth.

The court heard he had a history of drug offences, including a charge of trafficking from 2018.

Kratochvil’s defence lawyer, Ms Loode, said her client was employed at the Queenslander Hotel in Mary St as a barman, but after the building was inundated during the February floods, he took up work at Kingston House Impressions.

Kratochvil was one of the people helping with the clean-up of the Queenslander once the flood waters had receded, the court heard.

Ms Loode said Kratochvil’s employer knew of his criminal history, but regardless was not interested in letting him go.

She told the court he had been sober from drugs since January 2022.

Judge Glen Cash said it was clear Kratochvil had a problem, but gave him his “last chance” at redeeming himself.

Kratochvil was sentenced to 18 months jail, but immediately released on parole.

Originally published as Julian Kratochvil in court for possessing, dealing meth and cannabis