‘Gone off the rails’: Meth takes mine worker Aaron Lee Martin to prison

Meth is being blamed as the main reason a man with “great family support” and a resume filled with mine work was caught drilling out the locks of a stolen LandCruiser.

Aaron Lee Martin was sentenced for unlawful use of a vehicle, wilful damage, possession of a dangerous drug and more.

Meth is being blamed as the main reason a man with “great family support” and a resume filled with mine work was caught drilling out the locks of a stolen LandCruiser.

Aaron Lee Martin appeared in court on Monday, September 10, and pleaded guilty to eight charges including: unlawful use of a motor vehicle, wilful damage, possessing dangerous drugs, and enter premises and commit indictable offence.

Magistrate Richard Lehmann expressed confusion over the man’s criminal behaviour.

“You have great family support, you have the qualifications to be a great member of society,” Mr Lehmann said.

“This doesn't seem to be offending for profit, it really seems to be your drug habit and things you do under the influence of drugs.”

Aaron Lee Martin was sentenced for unlawful use of a vehicle, wilful damage, possession of a dangerous drug and more.

The Townsville Magistrates Court heard Martin had a “long addiction to drugs” but had kept things relatively under control with no criminal record until 2019, and was a “loving partner and father”.

Magistrate Lehmann said it appeared after 2019 Martin went “off the rails” with serious drug and property offending.

The court heard in 2023 Martin was released on parole from Proserpine Magistrates Court and lasted four months in the community before he was caught drilling out the locks of a stolen LandCruiser, damaging gates as he evaded the lawful owners, and being found with meth in his possession.

Martin was also charged with stealing a motorcycle, generator, two-way radio and registration plates from a shed.

Magistrate Lehmann sentenced Martin to nine months imprisonment, parole eligibility set for March 5, 2025.

Originally published as ‘Gone off the rails’: Meth takes mine worker Aaron Lee Martin to prison