Richard Buttrose, who was jailed for supplying cocaine in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, has had his minimum term cut by three years on appeal.
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Buttrose, a nephew of media personality Ita Buttrose, was arrested in 2009 after selling cocaine to undercover police officers.
Raids on his properties at Darling Point and Paddington uncovered cocaine with a street value of up to $10 million, as well as $1.3 million in cash.
Buttrose, 38, pleaded guilty in the District Court to three counts of cocaine supply.
A psychologist told the court Buttrose became known as "the man" in the eastern suburbs and found the interest and attention "extremely rewarding".
Buttrose was jailed last year for a maximum of 16 years, to serve at least 12 years and six months behind bars.
The sentencing judge allowed a 45 per cent reduction for his early guilty plea and the assistance he provided to authorities.
With time already served, the offender would have been eligible for parole in August 2021.
However, Buttrose argued in the Court of Criminal Appeal that the judge had erred and that his jail term was excessive.
Justices Peter McClellan, Peter Garling and Peter Hall today ruled there had been some error in sentencing and quashed the original sentence, making Buttrose eligible for release to parole in August 2018.
His maximum term is now set to expire in August 2021.
Kim Arlington is a Herald Court Reporter.?
