A CROSSBOW, revolver and boxes of methamphetamine at a grade of 61 per cent purity were found in Normanton after police searched a man’s caravan.
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The owner of these items, 22-year-old Jesse
Elliott, was released into the community on parole after being sentenced in the Mount Isa Supreme Court on Monday and spending six days in custody.
Elliott pleaded guilty to possession of dangerous drugs, unlawful weapons, a medieval class weapon, illegal ammunition and firecrackers, and possession of drug paraphernalia – including digital scales.
He was sentenced to 12 months’ parole for possession of methamphetamine.
He was also sentenced to serve shorter times concurrently for possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia.
He will be fined $2500 for possession of illegal firearms, which will need to be paid within six months.
Justice Jim Henry decided no connection could be made between Elliott and a commercial drug operation – otherwise the sentence would have been more serious.
“The possession of the revolver alone is enough to see him go in for a period of time,” Justice Henry said.
Barrister for the defence Claire McKinnon said the drugs were bought in bulk because of Normanton’s isolation.
She said they were for Elliott’s personal use and that he smoked about one gram a day.
Elliott was a “collector of weapons”, which was why he had weapons like the revolver.
Crown prosecutor Jacob Robson said police searched two properties connected to Elliott on March 26, 2014.
Cannabis and drug paraphernalia were found at Elliott’s property in Landsborough Street.
Another search in Elliott’s caravan on his father’s property revealed boxes with more than eight grams of methamphetamine, which had a grade of 61 per cent purity.
Justice Henry noted it was a much higher grade than found at a street level, which suggested Elliott “was close to the source of production”.
There were also digital scales and 23 unused clip-seal bags in the caravan.
Mr Robson said weapons found included a semi-automatic, a revolver hidden in the grill of the oven, a rifle in a cupboard and a crossbow in the storage compartment of a couch. Ammunition included shotgun rounds and there were 11 firecrackers.
Justice Henry said most of the weapons found, such as the rifle and crossbow, were “not entirely surprising” given they were found in a rural town like Normanton.
“The crossbow is troubling but not entirely surprising given the country context,’’ he said.
He was, however, concerned with the combination of charges. “I don’t like the idea someone’s got drugs and guns at the same time,” he said.
Ms McKinnon said there was no evidence her client was using weapons to enforce a commercial operation.