A recent parolee caught carrying a small amount of methamphetamine in the Wollongong at the weekend allegedly told police he planned to use it as ‘payment’ for the return of a stolen mobile phone containing pictures of his now-deceased grandmother.
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Rex Jo Clarke was allegedly found with 0.2 grams of ice and two Valium tablets concealed inside a Nivea lip balm container during a police search just after 12.30 on Sunday morning.
Police documents presented in bail court on Sunday said the patrolling officers had became suspicious of Clarke after realising his casual state of dress – track pants, sneakers, a black leather jacket, bumbag and a Nike Dri-Fit hat – would not have permitted him entry to any of the licensed premises within the CBD.
They began to follow him in their vehicle, however said it appeared he was actively trying to avoid them.
They eventually caught up with him near Station Street, at which time he admitted to having a used syringe in his bumbag.
A subsequent search uncovered the other drugs, police said.
When asked for an explanation, Clarke said the intended recipient of the drugs – a member of his extended family – had stolen another family member’s phone the previous night and he planned to exchange the substances for the phone.
Defence lawyer Laura Fennell told the court on Sunday the phone contained images of Clarke’s deceased grandmother.
“He needed the phone back for the photos and memories attached to them,” he said.
The drugs were intended for him to exchange for the stolen mobile phone containing the photos of his deceased grnadmother
- Defence lawyer Laura Fennell
Police opposed Clarke’s release on bail, noting he was on parole after serving jail time over a brawl.
However, Registrar Nicole Hoffman agreed to grant Clarke conditional bail, noting he had no other drug matters on his record and had always turned up to court in the past.
He will be required to report to police three times a week and live at an address in Unanderra under the terms of his release.
A friend or family member must also forfeit $500 if he doesn’t show up to court.