A former mine project manager from Mackay has told a court his dangerous drug addiction started after being forced by his employer to sack 51 mine workers, including the Best Man and Groomsman from his own wedding party.
Thirty-one year old Danny Parkinson made the claim to Mackay Magistrates Court this week where he was appearing to face six drug-related charges, reports Mackay’s Daily Mercury.
Parkinson was arrested in January of this year after police raided his Andergrove property and discovered a stash of 40 “white dove” ecstasy pills along with ice and testosterone drugs.
Parkinson admitted he used ice daily before pleading guilty to all six drug-related offences, including two counts of possession of dangerous drugs.
Defence lawyer Antoinette Morton acknowledged her client was in breach of his parole conditions from a previous offence.
“He is a first-time drug offender and he accepts that he has an issue with drug addiction that is a combination of a number of issues,” she said.
“He had to put off 51 employees including three of his groomsmen and best man. The stress caused his marriage to break down. This loss of relationship has sent him spiralling.”
Magistrate Ron Muirhead sentenced Parkinson to 12 months jail, which he immediately suspended for two years. He was fined $1850.
Source: Daily Mercury
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