A HORSHAM man got his son involved in cannabis trafficking in order to help him stay away from other drugs, a court has heard.
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Matthew Hutchins appeared via video-link in Horsham Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
He pleaded guilty to trafficking a drug of dependence, possessing cannabis, dealing with property suspected of being proceeds of crime, and committing an indictable offence while on bail.
Magistrate Mark Stratmann jailed Hutchins for five months.
The charges came after police searched Hutchins’ home in Horsham on January 18.
During a search, police seized 775 grams of cannabis and $810 that they believed to be the proceeds of crime.
Hutchins mobile phone was also seized and police found evidence of trafficking on it.
Hutchins told police that he had been trafficking cannabis for about six months.
He said he sold the drug to at least one person each day.
Hutchins was bailed on January 18 with stringent conditions.
On January 27, police searched Hutchins’ home again.
Police found a small quantity of cannabis and about 50 cannabis seeds.
The court heard that Hutchins’ son Adrian was also involved in trafficking.
Hutchins told the court on Wednesday that he only got his son involved in trafficking to get him away from heavier drugs.
“I wanted to stop him going down the wrong path and it’s been a good thing – he’s not in trouble with the police anymore, except for this matter,” he said.
Defence solicitor Nick Graham said Hutchins was a long-time user of drugs and didn’t profit from the trafficking.
“Marijuana is openly used by both father and son,” he said.
“Emphasis should be placed on rehabilitation.”
Magistrate Mark Stratmann said Hutchins’ charges were extremely serious.
“We have a father who commercially trafficks cannabis and he bought his family members into the process,” he said.
Mr Stratmann sentenced Hutchins to five months in jail.
He had already served 47 days.
Mr Stratmann said following Hutchins’ release from prison, he would be placed on a community corrections order for 12 months, which would involve regular drug testing and a mental health assessment.
Adrian Hutchins received a 12 months community correction order for trafficking cannabis.