A magistrate has told a man who pleaded guilty to possessing three different substances illegally she is “sick to the back teeth” with people using methamphetamine, especially after a friend was killed in a crash caused by an ice-affected driver.
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Paul Hogan, of California Gully, pleaded guilty in the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court this week to possessing methamphetamine, possessing a drug of dependence, possessing cannabis, three charges of possessing a prohibited weapon, and possessing cartridge ammunition.
Magistrate Jelena Popovic said the community was labouring with the impact of drugs, particularly ice.
“I’m a community member and I’m absolutely sick to the back teeth of people using ice, and the chaos they cause,” Ms Popovic said.
She told Hogan her friend died two years ago when a driver on ice crashed into her at high speed.
Police raided Hogan’s home in June last year and discovered a bag containing 1.9 grams of methamphetamine, a white container of pills believed to be steroids, for which Hogan did not have a prescription, and cannabis and cannabis buds weighing 10 grams.
They also uncovered two flick knives, three rounds of .22 cartridge ammunition, and four samurai swords.
At the time, Hogan was 46 years old.
Defence lawyer Nicholas Rolfe said he was instructed the weapons were bought legally or provided by Hogan’s parents.
The court heard Hogan, a self-employed cabinet maker, said his friend gave him the pills after he hurt his shoulder, but he stopped taking them after a negative reaction.
He said all the items, with the exception of the ice and cannabis, had been in Hogan’s possession for a long time.
Ms Popovic expressed concern that Hogan operated machinery and drove, given the drugs found in his house.
The amount of methamphetamine found was not insubstantial, she said, and if it was all for personal use, it was significant.
Mr Rolfe submitted there was nothing to suggest his client was reckless.
He also said his client was now drug-free.
Ms Popovic said she was concerned Hogan did not “actually understand what the ramifications of ice use are”.
Ms Popovic sentenced Hogan to an eight-month community corrections order, which she said offered sufficient time for Corrections Victoria to arrange drug treatment.
Hogan must also undertake 48 hours of unpaid community work during his time on the order, although 32 hours of treatment can be accredited to this.
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