Racehorse breeder Nick Curley pleads guilty to drug crime in Toowoomba Magistrates Court

A successful thoroughbred horse breeder has been jailed for committing crimes while high on methamphetamine after he relapsed.

Despite being clean from drugs for two years, a Toowoomba thoroughbred breeder reverted to drug use when life got tough, which led to him committing crimes while high on methamphetamine.

On December 22, 2022, police issued a return to prison warrant for Nicholas Lisle Curley after he was caught drug driving.

Toowoomba horse breeder, Nick Curley, was caught driving while high on meth. Picture: Social media

Toowoomba Magistrates Court was told the 33-year-old had committed another crime the same day which was more serious than the driving offence, however the details of that crime was not mentioned in court.

Police prosecutor Bettina Trenear said Toowoomba Highway Patrol unit intercepted Curley when he was driving along Russell St at 1.35pm, with a passenger in the car.

Ms Trenear said a roadside drug test indicated Curley had a drug in his system, and he was taken to the watch house where another test came back positive to methamphetamine.

MacDonald Law lawyer, Ryan McCullough said the former oil and gas worker was working for Curry Racing at the time of the office, as well as his own business.

Mr McCullough said the single man had been working in the racing industry for about five years.

“Within the last 12 months… he’s really doubled down, particularly in his own business, and built quite a strong business for himself,” he said.

“Thankfully while in custody his parents have been managing his business so it’s set up for him to walk back into.”

Toowoomba horse breeder, Nick Curley, was caught driving while high on meth. Picture: Social media

Mr McCullough said the former St Mary’s student was very proactive about his mental health and he planned to work with Lives Lived Well to stay clean, once released from jail on April 7.

“Drug addiction is at the heart of this charge and for many years... addiction has been a problem for him and he has a tendency to revert back to drug use when there’s stress in his life,” he said.

After pleading guilty via video link from prison, to driving on a suspended license with meth in his system, Curley was convicted and not further punished and disqualified from driving for six months.