Matthew John jailed for drug trafficking after methamphetamine bust

Magistrate Robert Cook noted this on Wednesday afternoon, when he jailed furniture removalist Matthew John for eight months.

John, already behind bars at the Alexander Maconochie Centre, appeared before Mr Cook in the ACT Magistrates Court for sentence via audio-visual link.

The 34-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to methamphetamine trafficking and charges relating to the possession of drugs, stolen property and a firearm.

Court documents show he was arrested on May 27, when police busted him in Taylor with an array of drugs that included steroids and more than three times the minimum traffickable quantity of methamphetamine.

John also had an "airsoft" gun in his backpack, and the keys to a stolen Audi A3 in his pocket.

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Prosecutor Crystal Holt told the court John had been on parole at the time in question, aggravating his offending.

She added that it could be inferred he was "a key player" in the distribution of "ice", having also been found carrying digital scales and a packet of clip seal bags.

But John's lawyer, Benjamin Rutzou, told the court the 34-year-old had been "a heavy user" of methamphetamine, and "a large amount" of what was found on him was for his personal use.

Mr Rutzou also said John had made the poor decision to turn to drugs at the relevant time in order to cope with the breakdown of a long-term relationship.

While the court heard John now apparently wanted to "turn the corner" and leave illicit drug dramas in the past, Mr Cook ultimately found more jail time was necessary.

The magistrate said he had "little confidence" John would be able to comply with community-based orders, while there was not yet a lot to be optimistic about in terms of the man's ability to rehabilitate.

John has been in custody since his most recent arrest, but only the last 17 days will count towards his new sentence.

This is because the cancellation of his parole meant he had to finish serving an earlier term that only expired on October 3.

He will therefore not be released from jail until early June 2022.

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