Serial drug crim on verge of return to jail

Jamie Roy White, 30, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court on May 31 to five drug-related charges including possessing methamphetamine and cannabis, as well as possessing a knife in public.

In relation to the drug possession charges, the court heard White was pulled over for a RBT at Calliope on April 4 and during a search, police found .7g of meth in his wallet.

Then on April 13 at South Gladstone, police intercepted White again and this time they found him with 22g of cannabis and a large hunting knife in a backpack.

The court heard White had a four-page criminal history that was “littered with drug offences” and he was on parole when he committed these latest offences before the court.

The court was told White had previously received imprisonment for drug offending.

Solicitor Pierre Lammersdorf said White’s situation was “particularly sad” because he was a father of two young children aged three and eight months.

“It would be a shame for the little ones to be growing up without their father if he continues these offences, Your Honour,” Mr Lammersdorf said.

Mr Lammersdorf said White had experienced a “normal childhood” having been raised and supported by loving parents who had good jobs – with his father working for the port authority and his mother being a nurse.

“He does come from good stock, Your Honour,” Mr Lammersdorf said, also noting White had the support of his partner of five years who was present in court.

The solicitor said White had completed Year 9 at school and had worked as a scaffolder for many years, until he broke his shoulder seven months ago.

Mr Lammersdorf said while White was “capable” he was “on very thin ice” in terms of going back to jail for drug offending.

Before handing down penalty, Acting Magistrate Mary Buchanan noted a jail sentence could be imposed in this matter but she ultimately decided to place White on two years’ probation with conditions.

Convictions were recorded.