Rockhampton man Kaleib Peter Bartholomew supplied MDMA and marijuana

A young man has been busted supplying illicit drugs after it was suggested by his dealer to ‘make some money’. Find out what happened in court.

A young man has been busted supplying illicit drugs after it was suggested by his dealer to ‘make some cash’.

Kaleib Peter Bartholomew, 20, pleaded guilty on August 5 in Rockhampton District Court to 11 counts of supplying a dangerous drug and one count each of possessing an illicit drug, drug utensils and anything used in a crime.

Crown prosecutor Maryam Yousufzai said Bartholomew carried out the supplies, or offers to supply, between May 13, 2021, and June 22, 2021.

She said there was one actual supply of MDMA and three of marijuana with the other supply charges related to offers to supply MDMA and marijuana.

Ms Yousufzai said police searched Bartholomew’s residence on June 24, 2021, locating 3.2g of marijuana, a grinder, pipes, cut straws and homemade bongs, along with his phone which revealed the evidence of the 11 counts of supplying drugs.

Kaleib Peter Bartholomew, 20.

Defence barrister Sheridan Shaw said when her client purchased some marijuana, he was given some MDMA by the supplier who told Bartholomew he should sell it to make some money.

She said Bartholomew told her it was a “foolish thing”.

Ms Shaw said her client had a difficult childhood with his parents separating when his young and his mother being in many relationships – some in which there was domestic violence and methamphetamine use which he was exposed to – but not in her current relationship.

“One of his largest hardships growing up was with his sister who is a high needs person being diagnosed high on the autism spectrum, in conjunction with what’s called Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS),” she said.

“She would have violent outbursts due to changes in her routine as well as difficult acting out behaviours that he (Bartholomew) found difficult to cope with as a child of a similar age.”

According to the mayo clinic website, PWS is a genetic disorder that results in many physical, mental and behavioural problems with a key feature being a constant sense of hunger which usually begins at about age two.

Kaleib Peter Bartholomew, 20.

Ms Shaw said Bartholomew’s sister was now in a full-time care facility.

She said her client moved to Brisbane at age 16 and lived with his father and stepmother while he worked in the shipping industry and labour work.

Ms Shaw said Bartholomew returned to Rockhampton when he was 17 and had worked a few jobs.

“He had been in a relationship for about 18 months but they broke up after she was violent towards him,” she told the court.

“She broke his nose and cut his eyebrows.

“After that, he moved back in with family.”

Ms Shaw said Bartholomew’s mother now had a one-year-old child with her current partner and there were seven children in the house.

She said Bartholomew’s current partner of one year also lived there.

“He’s looking to move out shortly with his partner, as well as a friend, into a rental and have some freedom,” Ms Shaw said.

Ms Shaw said her client had recently started working with Bumblebees Yoga, working with NDIS recipients, helping them with their yard work.

“He’s quite enthusiastic about helping people in that situation (with high needs),” she said.

Judge Jeff Clarke sentenced Bartholomew to 15 months prison with immediate parole.

Originally published as Rockhampton man Kaleib Peter Bartholomew supplied MDMA and marijuana