An NDIS carer described by local service provider Endless Possibilities NT as a "valuable team player" has appeared in Darwin local court this morning on charges including 'Supply Schedule 1 Commercial Quantity'
The 24-year-old born and bred Darwinite was supported by family in court this morning, after handing himself into police with his mother last Friday.
Defence barrister John Tippett QC appeared before Judge Julie Franz to put forward his client's case for bail: "He's a 24-year-old young man with no prior convictions. He was born in Darwin. He's lived in Darwin pretty much all his life.
"He is a carer for his grandmother, who suffers from severe mental illness and needs care.
"He's not a flight risk, we would argue your honour. He would, if bailed, live [at his mum's address]. He is employed by the NDIS.
Judge Franz: "Ordinarily, people charged with these types of offences don't get bail.
"But. The intellectual disability and the family support is a significant matter, so yes I give you the opportunity to put that evidence before the court."
Defence barrister Tippett tendered a number of documents into evidence, including a reference from the defendant's employer.
Judge Franz: "I'll mark this letter from Antonio Lay, director Endless Possibilities NT dated 16th September 2024 as exhibit P2. I'll just read it Mr Tippett.
"I see confirmation of his employment with Endless Possibilities NT, and that he's a valuable team member."
Defence barrister Tippett: "I'll [provide] his psychological report to your honour and the prosecution.
"If he was granted bail he would obviously reside with his mother, as he's done all his life, and he would of course undertake to report to his local police station on a regular basis.
"If your honour considers that he should be considered for higher corrections, for an ankle bracelet, then we would encourage for that to take place, if you honour considers it appropriate.
"He handed himself into police at police request. He and his mother went to police last Friday, at a time they arranged with police, and he handed himself in.
Defence barrister Tippett said there were particular aspects of the case he needed to look into and investigate with his client, and that it would be best done if he was not "confined to Holtze".
"He is not a flight risk. He is a person who has work. He has the disabilities you will see set out in the psychological report, and he's a person who is looking after his grandmother when his mother is at work."
Defence barrister Tippett said his client's mother was not a person of money, but after speaking with her "at some length" she would be able to afford a $1,000 surety.
A bail assessment report by the department of corrections on the defendant's mother's address was ordered by Judge Franz, which typically has a three-day turn around.
The bail application was adjourned until later this week on Friday 20th September.
We are The Mango Inquirer.
