A man sentenced to four months in prison claimed he was acting on his mother’s orders when he dealt drugs, Young Local Court heard on Thursday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Alexander Jones, 21, of Boorowa, pleaded guilty to six counts of drug supply and one lesser charge of driving while his license was suspended.
The man was arrested in Febuary as part of an ongoing investigation into drug activity in Young, Strike Force Nandi.
His solicitor Duc Vo told the court he was acting “under strict guidance and detailed instruction of his mother” during his involvement.
Police facts tendered to the court showed text messages between Mr Jones and his mother.
“You’re a good boy,” read one text from his mother upon telling her of the completion of a deal.
The court heard Mr Jones would deliver drugs on the instruction of his mother, who would arrange the deals via telephone.
Mr Vo told the court Mr Jones received very little financial gain out of the drug deals he was involved in, instead taking part to help out his mother.
However local Magistrate Megan Greenwood said Mr Jones had to be accountable for his own actions.
She noted that at no point did he show any hesitation when he was recorded talking about the the drug deals with his mother.
“It’s hard to believe…you didn’t know exactly this was absolutely wrong and illegal,” she said during sentencing.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Steve Watterson argued that just because Mr Jones was not the, “brain of the operation”, didn’t mean he should avoid culpability for his part.
Magistrate Megan Greenwood said she was bound to sentence Mr Jones in parity with Ms Cruden, who was sentenced the day before.
She suggested this was advantageous to Mr Jones and a less lenient sentence may have been imposed otherwise.
Ms Cruden and Mr Jones had similar roles in the drug operation, however Mr Jones incurred two additional charges of drug supply
Magistrate Greenwood sentenced him to 12 months prison, with a non-parole period of four months.
She fined him $220 and disqualified him from driving for 12 months for the driving charged.
Mr Jones immediately appealed the severity of the sentence handed down, however was refused bail.
He will appear at Wagga District Court on July 28.
The man’s mother, Alison Jones, is in custody with her case still before the courts.
