Steven Ronald McLarty sentenced in court for supplying a dangerous drug

The death of a family member caused a Capricorn Coast man to turn to drugs, a court has heard. A search warrant revealed he had supplied methamphetamine to another person.

The death of a family member caused Capricorn Coast man Steven Ronald McLarty to “lose his way” and turn to drugs, a court has heard.

A search warrant at an address in Cooee Bay in 2019 revealed the 39-year-old had supplied methamphetamine to another person.

McLarty pleaded guilty in Rockhampton District Court on October 20 to one count each of supplying a dangerous drug and possessing a thing used in connection with supplying a dangerous drug.

Crown prosecutor Cameron Wilkins said police executed a search warrant at a house in Cooee Bay on December 5, 2019 and, through an analysis of McLarty’s mobile phone, found he had supplied three or four points of meth on November 15 for either $150 or $280.

Steven Ronald McLarty, 39, was sentenced in Rockhampton District Court on October 20, 2021. Picture: Aden Stokes

Mr Wilkins said McLarty was subjected to both probation and community service orders at the time he committed the offence.

Barrister Sheridan Shaw said her client “lost his way” and turned to drugs after the sudden death of his cousin eight years ago.

Ms Shaw said his daughter had been the motivator for her client to “get his act together” and “move on with his life”.

“He has taken steps to do that with the securement of his employment as a deckhand on a trawler and living with his sister who doesn’t encourage that sort of behaviour,” she said.

McLarty was sentenced to prison for six months, suspended for 18 months with criminal convictions recorded.

The mobile phone was forfeited to the Crown.

Originally published as Steven Ronald McLarty sentenced in court for supplying a dangerous drug