Steve Francis Austin sentenced in court for running drug operation

A dad who sold drugs out of his home to 30 people claims he was trying to keep his business afloat as he reached for tissues in court when the judge delivered his sentence.

Steve Francis Austin appeared in Maroochydore District Court on July 11.

A family man and business owner sobbed when he heard he narrowly escaped jail time after running a drug operation to pay off debt.

Steve Francis Austin appeared in Maroochydore District Court after he previously pleaded guilty to several charges including supplying drugs.

Crown prosecutor Alex Stark told the court the offending occurred in 2021 when Austin sold cannabis from his property for three months.

The court heard police searched multiple of his properties after officers had intercepted messages - many of which were in code - of seven customers who bought cannabis from Austin.

Judge Michael Byrne told the court he had sold quantities between 448g up to two pounds, or about one kilogram.

Mr Stark said he had up to 30 customers and about five different suppliers who he had sourced cannabis from.

Police also found $8700 in cash as drug proceeds and an extendable baton, the court heard.

Defence barrister Sam Di Carlo told the court Austin began smoking cannabis when he was 17 due to childhood troubles and spoke about his two impaired children and wife who depended on his support.

Judge Byrne noted Austin had heavily used cocaine in the past and suffered paranoid illusions at one point in time.

Steve Francis Austin appeared in Maroochydore District Court on July 11. Photo: social media

He accepted his drug use had been a coping mechanism and Austin had gone completely “cold turkey” since the offending in 2021.

Mr Di Carlo said Austin began selling cannabis to pay off a drug debt when his business was struggling and was therefore not intended for personal profit.

He told the court Austin had built up his own business to support his family and he and his wife heavily rely on each other to take care of their children.

“He just deserves a chance,” Mr Di Carlo said.

Judge Byrne commented the offending was not simply “suburban supply of joints”.

He said Austin had built a successful business and his family would suffer if he were jailed due to NDIS funding issues.

Judge Byrne also said Austin should be congratulated for turning his “raging addiction” around.

“I will not send you to jail today,” Judge Byrne said.

“When I walked in, you were going.”

Austin’s two supporters in the public gallery sobbed after Judge Byrne’s declaration.

He was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment with immediate release on parole.

Austin previously pleaded guilty to trafficking drugs, possessing property obtained from trafficking, possessing anything used in a drug crime and possessing dangerous drug.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing a weapon during his sentencing.

Originally published as Steve Francis Austin sentenced in court for running drug operation