Man busted at the stove after using internet tips to run ‘clandestine’ meth lab at home

A Launceston man has faced court after running a “clandestine” meth lab from a woman’s Housing Tasmania unit. Find out what the judge had to say>>

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A man who ran a clandestine meth lab from a woman’s Housing Tasmania unit, having “looked up what to do on the internet”, has been sentenced to home detention.

Stephen Charles Hipworth, 50, appeared in the Supreme Court of Tasmania on Friday after pleading guilty to manufacturing a controlled precursor, intended for use in the manufacture of a controlled drug for sale.

Justice Robert Pearce said Hipworth was living in the woman’s Launceston unit in July 2020 and that he was “standing at the stove” trying to extract pseudoephedrine from another substance when he was busted by police.

The judge said if the pseudoephedrine was mixed with certain other substances, it could make methamphetamine.

However, Justice Pearce said despite all of Hipworth’s efforts, no ice was actually produced.

When police arrived and found Hipworth’s “small and far from sophisticated” setup, they located a number of other substances along with beakers, bowls and electronic scales.

They also found several .22 calibre bullets and a trigger mechanism.

The judge said Hipworth was using the unit as a “clandestine lab” to manufacture ice, some of which he intended to sell.

Justice Pearce said Hipworth had experienced homelessness from age 17 and was seriously injured in a 2003 car crash.

At the time he set up the meth lab, he was “heavily addicted” to ice and was partly motivated to make his own drugs to save money – having looked up on the internet what to do.

Hipworth said he had “hit rock bottom” and his actions reflected his desperation.

Hipworth, who also pleaded guilty to a number of summary offences, was convicted and sentenced to a 15-month home detention order – and must continue living in his caravan at Longford under electronic monitoring.

He must pay more than $6000 in drug analysis costs.

Justice Pearce said Hipworth would also have to pay the costs of decontaminating the Newnham Housing Tasmania unit, with the full costs to be assessed.

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