Homeless man fined for possessing knife in public

A Toowoomba landlord found evidence of drug activity while serving an eviction notice to a group of young people. When they wouldn’t leave the landlord phoned the police.

POLICE, acting on a tip-off from a Toowoomba landlord, entered a home occupied by several squatters and uncovered a knife and drug paraphernalia.

This led to the arrest of Damian Stanley Warren, 20, who appeared in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The court heard the landlord observed a collection of drug utensils while evicting the tenants of a Ruthven St home on February 20.

He phoned the police and granted them access to the property.

Officers arrived at the address about 11pm where a search of Warren’s room uncovered a Category M knife, a grinder and a brass stem piece, used to smoke cannabis.

They also detained several squatters.

The court heard Warren told the arresting officers that he carried the knife for protection, as he was homeless.

Representing himself, Warren said he was still homeless, and that he struggled to find employment.

“I am trying to get my own place, but it has been so hard,” he said.

Magistrate Kay Ryan extended advice to Warren about getting help from housing services and drug counsellors, so that he could get his life back on track.

“There is help out there but you have to seek it out,” Ms Ryan said.

“Lives Lived Well takes walk-ins off the street and they are great.”

Warren was fined $500 after he pleaded guilty to possession of a knife in public and possession of drug utensils.

His convictions were recorded.