Tyler James Jason pleaded guilty to possessing dangerous drugs

A mill worker who’d been taking drugs with a mate the night before he died of an overdose, has told a court he was trying to protect his friend by hiding his $5400 stash. See what the judge said.

Tyler James Jason, 25, (left) pleaded guilty to possessing dangerous drugs when he faced Maryborough Supreme Court on Thursday.

A young father whose friend died of a cocaine overdose after the pair took the drug in a Maryborough motel room in 2023 was released on parole on Thursday after being convicted of possessing $5400 worth of the drug.

Tyler James Jason, 25, was charged with possessing dangerous drugs in the wake of the tragic incident. He pleaded guilty to the charge in the Maryborough Supreme Court on Thursday.

The court heard on June 3, 2023, about 9.30am, police were called to a motel room at the Carriers Arms Hotel in Alice St after Tyeson Mackie, 27, was found unconscious.

Paramedics attended the scene to treat Mr Mackie, but could not revive him.

The court heard that, not knowing his friend had died and believing he was protecting him, Jason stashed about 11 grams of cocaine belonging to Mr Mackie down his pants to hide it from the paramedics.

When police arrived, he admitted he had the cocaine and told them he and Mr Mackie had used rolled up banknotes to take it.

Jason was not accused of any wrongdoing in relation to Mr Mackie’s death.

Tyler James Jason leaves Maryborough Supreme Court on Thursday, March 21.

Mr Mackie’s death sparked an outpouring of grief across the region as friends and family mourned the young dad.

Justice Peter Davis said it appeared he had died of some drug toxicity.

“You told police that the night before you had consumed cocaine with Mr Mackie and when asked if there was any cocaine in the room, you volunteered that you had cocaine secreted in your pants and you produced it to police,” he said.

“You told police that the cocaine had been purchased by Mr Mackie and was his. He had supplied it to you the night before for use.

Much-loved father, son and brother Tyeson Mackie.

“When it became evident the paramedics would arrive to attend to Mr Mackie, you took the cocaine from Mr Mackie’s person and put it down your pants.

“You told police this was to protect him because you thought he was still alive.”

Justice Davis said this version, even in the peculiar circumstances under which it had arisen, seemed to him to be plausible.

“It’s a version accepted by the Crown, so I accept is as well,” he said.

“The value of the cocaine is about $5400.”

Tyler James Jason pleaded guilty to possessing dangerous drugs when he faced Maryborough Supreme Court.

Jason was to be sentenced on the basis that he did not acquire or own the cocaine and took possession of it in the circumstances that had been outlined, he said.

“In that sense the cocaine was possessed by you relatively fleetingly,” Justice Davis said, adding that there was no commercial intent to having the cocaine.

He said Jason had experienced a difficult childhood and had prior criminal history.

Jason was supported by his partner, his immediate family and Mr Mackie’s family in court, Justice Davis said.

Jason was employed at a timber mill and had prospects at his place of employment, including hoping to be accepted as an apprentice to learn a trade.

Justice Davis said drugs were a scourge on society and there had been a significant amount of cocaine.

But the circumstances under which Jason came to be in possession of it were somewhat unusual.

Jason was sentenced to 12 months in prison but was immediately released on parole.

Originally published as Tyler James Jason pleaded guilty to possessing dangerous drugs