Daniel Brian Squires on cannabis charges, tells court he was helping dying stepfather

An Ipswich man has been jailed after extensive drug abuse he blamed on mental health issues and an “act of mercy’’ for his dying stepfather.

A Gatton mn has been jailed for cannabis possession and supply he partly blamed on wanting to help a dying stepfather. Picture: iStock

An Ipswich man has been sentenced to 12 months’ jail after supplying cannabis to ease his dying stepfather’s pain.

Gatton man Daniel Brian Squires, 31, pleaded guilty in Ipswich District Court on August 8, 2023 to eight charges including two counts of supplying cannabis.

He was also charged with one count of possessing in excess of 500g of cannabis, one count of possessing digital scales and clipsal bags used in connection with that possession, one count of possessing a mobile phone used in reference of supplying a dangerous drug, one count of possessing 12g of cannabis and using a bong and other drug utensils.

The court heard he started using cannabis at the age of 18 to deal with anxiety and episodes of depression.

Squires was 29 and 30 at the time of the offences.

He had a previous criminal history almost solely relating to possession of cannabis but also methylenedioxyamphetamine.

The Crown submitted that Squires had previously been sentenced to community-based orders with immediate parole.

The court heard police searched Squires’ house in July 2021. They found 1.286kg of cannabis along with some drug paraphernalia and a mobile phone with incriminating text messages.

Police found two text message conversations which related to supply of half of the cannabis.

The prosecutor said Squires took the cannabis for personal use and to give to his stepfather.

But he said the text messages revealed a commercial aspect as he had also been supplying to two other people.

In December, 2021 during another search warrant, police found drug paraphernalia and 12g of cannabis.

The matter was initially listed for sentence in May, 2023 but was adjourned to obtain a psychologist’s report detailing Squires’ mental health.

Squires’ defence lawyer said his client had been a longterm sufferer of anxiety and depression and that his past drug use was to help him deal with his mental health issues.

Judge Dennis Lynch said he accepted Squires was genuinely remorseful and his possession of the larger quantity of cannabis was not just for personal use, but to deal with medical issues.

“It appears you also had that (cannabis) supply for the purpose of benefiting your stepfather,” Judge Lynch said.

“I have a number of references that speak well of you and explain this offending … hopefully is behind you because you have taken genuine steps to change your circumstances.

“The offending occurred during the (stepfather’s) illness. You were assisting in his care in a material way and also providing him with assistance with his nausea and pain relief by providing him with cannabis.

“You are not charged with any offence, I note, out of doing so.

“But in any event that was part of the arrangements for his care.

“Your cannabis use increased and this was clearly something which was condoned by your stepfather.

“You are experiencing grief as part of his death, obviously, and have been an ongoing support for your mother.”

The court heard Squires was now prescribed medicinal cannabis to help deal with migraines and ongoing mental health struggles.

Squires aspired to complete a business course in the future, the court heard.

Squires was given a two-year suspended sentence. Convictions were recorded for all offences.

For possessing cannabis over 500g of cannabis, he was given 12 months’ imprisonment.

For the two charges of a supplying a dangerous drug he was given three months’ jail.

He was convicted and not further punished for two charges of possessing a thing used in connection with the drug supply and one charge of possession of a dangerous drug.

He was also convicted and not further punished for the two summary offences of possessing utensils or pipes that had been used.

Originally published as Daniel Brian Squires on cannabis charges, tells court he was helping dying stepfather