A JUDGE has spoken out on the “scourge” of ice that is ruining young lives, in a sentencing for a man who trafficked the drug in Castlemaine.
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Jak Kennedy-Hunt, 24, was jailed on Thursday for four years and six months, with a minimum two years and three months non-parole, over charges of possessing and trafficking methamphetamine, commonly known as ice.
Kennedy-Hunt, of Geelong, was caught with 84 grams of ice – worth an estimated $70,000 to $80,0000 in street value.
The drugs were discovered when a car he was a passenger in was searched by police in Castlemaine in August 2012.
Kennedy-Hunt fled police custody at the time and was caught the following day with a semi-automatic pistol down the front of his pants.
The Bendigo County Court heard Kennedy-Hunt had been an AFL draft prospect but suffered a series of injuries and setbacks before turning to ice.
Judge Jane Campton said it was a clear case of how the drug can "ruin the potential of young lives".
"Drugs such as ice are a scourge on society," she said.
“This is a stark example of how drugs can take hold of a promising life and turn it upside down."
“This is a stark example of how drugs can take hold of a promising life and turn it upside down... The potential you (Kennedy-Hunt) had has been squandered for transient highs.”
Judge Campton said she accepted Kennedy-Hunt was depressed and had "lost his way" when he failed to get selected by an AFL side, but said it did not excuse his actions.
"If everyone whose career expectations were not fulfilled went out and acted like this, our society would be chaotic."
A group of Kennedy-Hunt's family and friends were present in court yesterday and shuddered as the length of the jail term was handed down.
Judge Campton said she was required to deliver a stern warning of general deterrence on trafficking crimes.
She said it was a major factor in the sentencing due to the “growing problem of ice in the community”.
Kennedy-Hunt’s four-year and six month jail sentence was imposed for a combination of summary offences, including possession of a controlled weapon and escaping police custody.
Judge Campton said it would have been six years prison if he had not pleaded guilty.
