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Kidnapper Mathew Pirri has further jail time added after pleading guilty to supplying drugs

A violent kidnapper has had further jail time added for drug charges after his life spiralled out of control.

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A violent kidnapper whose life spiralled into crime after he turned to methamphetamine will remain behind bars for longer.

Mathew Pirri, 42, found himself on the wrong side of the law after a back injury and a marriage breakdown led to him taking drugs.

During sentencing this week, the District Court heard Pirri’s vehicle was stopped in October 2020 at Mount Barker.

Inside they found 13.4g of methamphetamine in a container, 8.2g of which was pure.

The court heard Pirri’s life took a bad turn in about 2014 when he sustained a back injury while working in the mines in Whyalla.

Mathew Pirri had further jail time added after he was caught with methamphetamine in Mount Barker. Photo: Facebook
Mathew Pirri had further jail time added after he was caught with methamphetamine in Mount Barker. Photo: Facebook

Pirri lost his ability to work and his marriage began to fall apart so he turned to methamphetamine to cope.

The Two Wells father-of-three pleaded guilty to possessing a controlled drug to supply to another.

Last year, Pirri was jailed for over three years after pleading guilty to false imprisonment and causing harm with intent.

The victim, Micaela Jennings, 29, spent an evening with Pirri’s co-accused in November 2019 and stole his car.

Pirri’s co-accused orchestrated a revenge plan and recruited a group of men, including Pirri, to help abduct Ms Jennings.

When Ms Jennings got off the train at Exeter in December 2019, a car driven by Pirri pulled up next to her.

Ms Jennings was sprayed with pepper spray, bashed, bound in duct tape and placed in the boot of a car.

She was eventually let go the next morning after being forced to stay overnight at another co-accused’s house.

This week, Judge Michael Durrant said the community needed to be protected from such offending.

“Methamphetamine is a dangerous and menacing drug which causes harm to people and the community,” he said.

“You, unfortunately, well know of its destructive impact.”

Judge Durrant said he was “guardedly optimistic” about Pirri’s prospects of rehabilitation.

“Your past success also shows you can be a productive member of the community, if you are able to address your drug issues,” he said.

Adding on to Pirri’s previous sentence, Judge Durrant jailed him for four years and eight months, with a non-parole period of two years and four months.

Originally published as Kidnapper Mathew Pirri has further jail time added after pleading guilty to supplying drugs

Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/news/south-australia/kidnapper-mathew-pirri-has-further-jail-time-added-after-pleading-guilty-to-supplying-drugs/news-story/7bcade3ba29f067d44b0ada78c5fe1f3