Rockhampton’s Brandyn John Melton-Sigler busted with kilo of marijuana

A young dad busted with a kilogram of drugs had ‘stocked up’ after being prescribed medicinal marijuana for severe depression following the sudden death of his son, a court has heard.

Brandyn John Melton-Sigler, 25, was prescribed medicinal marijuana in July 2022 but the fortnightly dose wasn’t enough for the steel fixer so stocked up, resulting in police busting him with 1kg of marijuana on September 27, 2022.

A young dad busted with a kilogram of an illegal drug had increased his use after the devastating trauma of his baby boy dying suddenly.

Brandyn John Melton-Sigler, 25, was prescribed medicinal marijuana in July 2022 but the fortnightly dose wasn’t enough for the steel fixer so he stocked up, defence barrister Jordan Ahlstrand told Rockhampton District Court on November 7 during Melton-Sigler’s sentencing.

Crown prosecutor Caleb Theunissen said Melton-Sigler’s single entry on his criminal record prior to being busted with one kilogram of marijuana was when police attended his residence to investigate the sudden death of his son on April 26, 2022.

The court heard his son died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Melton-Sigler was busted possessing 4.3 grams of marijuana on this occasion.

He and his long-term partner have since had another child – a daughter born in April this year.

Police raided Melton-Sigler’s residence on September 27, 2022, finding the kilogram of marijuana and 0.015g of cocaine.

The court heard Melton-Sigler had two drug drives on his traffic record from 2018 and 2020.

Mr Theunissen said the Crown alleged part of the marijuana was for commercial use.

Mr Ahlstrand said his client supplied to acquaintances.

Judge William Everson said Melton-Sigler’s minor criminal history, early plea, family support, prescription for medicinal marijuana for severe depression and full-time employment as a steel fixer and supervisor of a team of four indicated a strong likelihood of rehabilitation.

“I accept you are a devoted parent, loving partner and responsible worker but you also have a problem with drugs and you need to do something to address that,” he said.

Judge Everson said Melton-Sigler may view using marijuana as a “lifestyle choice” but “it goes beyond that when you start selling dangerous drugs”.

Melton-Sigler pleaded guilty to one count of possessing more than 500 grams of a schedule three drug and one of possessing a dangerous drug.

He was sentenced to nine months prison, wholly suspended with an 18-month operational period.

Originally published as Rockhampton’s Brandyn John Melton-Sigler busted with kilo of marijuana