Offender jailed for drug possession

A MOUNT Gambier man who was caught with 10g of the drug commonly known as “ice” has been sentenced to one year, five months and three weeks in prison.

Shawn Lysaght, 34, appeared in the Mount Gambier District Court to be sentenced for possessing a controlled drug for supply.

The prosecution said the defendant was driving a vehicle in November 2017, which was searched by police.

A girl was accompanying Lysaght and police found 10g of methamphetamine in her handbag worth $5000.

Lysaght admitted to police the drugs were his and that he was intending to supply.

It was revealed they were purchased shortly before the arrest by police.

Judge Peter Brebner said the defendant had committed many serious crimes over a number of years.

“You have a criminal record which stretches back to when you were about 18 and runs to some nine pages and stands very much in your way,” Judge Brebner said.

“You have, so far, responded neither to leniency nor punishment and it is plain that you have not yet learnt to respect the law and, despite your insight and your plans, one can have little confidence that you will now rehabilitate yourself.”

Judge Brebner sentenced Lysaght to one year, five months and three weeks imprisonment with a 12-month non-parole period.

The sentence was backdated to November 24, meaning Lysaght is eligible for release on parole next month.

The drugs were also forfeited to police.