A Harvey resident who had fallen into a life of crime in 2017 has been given a term of imprisonment and fines.
Michael James Downey, 45, was brought into Bunbury Magistrates Court via custody on Friday, March 16.
Downey pleaded guilty to 15 charges of offering to sell or supply prohibited drugs, two of possessing drug paraphernalia, possessing methamphetamine with intent to sell or supply, and possessing stolen or unlawfully obtained property.
Police Prosecutor Sergeant Barry Phelps told the court officers had executed a search warrant on a Palmer Street, Harvey residence on November 3, 2017.
Downey was charged for possessing a bong along with scales, drug scoops, and a number plate he had found on the road side.
Downey was later caught breaching his bail conditions from January 14 2018.
He was taken into custody following a police stop in Harvey at 1am on February 4. While conducting a strip search, police found two clipseal bags containing small amounts of meth in his possession.
He had been charged over multiple incidents of offering to sell or supply meth or cannabis between May 1, 2017 and January 4, 2018. Amounts ranged from 0.1 grams to 1.75g.
Phelps put forward that Downey’s operations counted as commercial ventures as financial transactions had been made.
Defence lawyer Ian Macfarlane told the court Downey had been medically discharged from the army before becoming a timber mill worker in Yarloop and then a fly-in, fly-out worker.
Macfarlane said Downey’s drug use “skyrocketed” while he was out of work, but stressed his client had not made money through dealing drugs.
Acknowledging the drug problem in Harvey, he said Downey had a raging habit and had fallen into the lifestyle.
Magistrate Brian Mahon acknowledged Downey’s early pleas of guilty and personal issues.
He also noted the drug amounts were “relatively modest” and not at the upper end. He also acknowledged that Downey had been out of trouble between 2002 and 2017. Although accepting Downey had not dealt drugs for commercial gain, Mahon said distribution was still a major factor in the case.
The magistrate said it was concerning to see Downey had continued his poor behaviour after seeking bail.
Mahon said an immediate term of imprisonment fitted the seriousness of the charges and would serve as a deterrent for Downey and others in the community.
Downey was given a 20 month term of imprisonment, backdated to February 4, and was fined $1000. He was made eligible for parole.
