Cloncurry man Garry Phillip Peters will serve three years imprisonment following a guilty plea to dangerous drug charges in Mount Isa Supreme Court on Tuesday March 5.
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Peters, 55, will be eligible for parole in 10 months, following two prior adjournments and 109 days in custody since November 14, 2018.
Summarising the case while sentencing, Justice James Henry said a search warrant was conducted at Peters' residence in Cloncurry revealing a substantial find of drugs including methamphetamine.
In a cupboard police also uncovered soft drink cans with a hidden chamber inside containing drugs.
Police also discovered small zip locked bags indicating Peters was dealing. After a search of his mobile it also uncovered transactions to suppliers.
"While some of the methamphetamine was for personal use there was a substantial amount indicated for commercial purposes," Justice Henry said.
Legal Aid for the defence said Peters had served with the Australian Defence Force from 1991 to 1995 however during court discussions it was confirmed that Peters was not deployed overseas during his time with the ADF and was not medically discharged.
Discussions between defence and Justice Henry revealed that when Peters voluntarily discharged from the ADF, he was then deployed overseas as a private military soldier. While overseas in Somalia in 1998 Peters was shot in the arm and had suffered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms, causing subsequent workplace and relationship difficulties.
Justice Henry said he accepted Peters struggled with PTSD and that it had an affect on his life.
"Peters confirmed he used methamphetamine on a regular basis to deal with his PTSD," Justice Henry said.
"Peters also had a criminal history of minor matters from his early adulthood but started to stray from 2013 including further violence and domestic violence offences."
Justice Henry said if Peters had been shot for his country with the ADF his sentencing would have been less, but he had still moderated his sentence keeping in mind Peters' struggles with PTSD.
Peters was sentenced to three years imprisonment on four counts of supply dangerous drugs, one count of possessing dangerous drugs and one count of possess anything used in a commission of a crime.
Peters will be eligible for parole in January 2020.
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Samantha Campbell
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
