Home

Augusta man Darrin Stuart Head freed at last after drug dealing appeal fails

Warren HatelyAugusta Margaret River Times
rawedpics\bdt\pnews\j9court1
Margaret River court house
PIC : Derek Pool
Camera Iconrawedpics\bdt\pnews\j9court1 Margaret River court house PIC : Derek Pool

Former Augusta man Darrin Stuart Head was convicted for drug possession with intent to sell or supply last week, although he walked out of court the same day a free man.

Head was sentenced for the second time on Thursday following a recent appeal to his four-year prison term for drug dealing and possession of ecstasy.

The charges against the 54-year-old stem from a Tactical Response Group raid on Head’s Augusta house in 2015.

Found guilty of the offences for a second time before Judge Andrew Steven Stavrianou in Perth’s District Court, re-imposition of the same penalty meant Head could be released for time served since he was re-arrested in September last year.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

In handing down his judgment, Mr Stavrianou took into account Head’s health problems, which included heart disease, diabetes and asthma.

The tragic death of Head’s son Keelan in a vehicle accident last year was also noted.

“The State’s submission is that you shouldn’t be required to serve any more time, either in a custodial environment or within the community,” the judge said.

“In other words, you shouldn’t be required to go back into prison, and you shouldn’t be required to serve any time upon parole.”

Police officers raided Head’s house in two teams at 5am on March 24, 2015, with a drug search warrant.

Officers removed security shutters as Head tried to flush dexamphetamine and methamphetamine down the toilet to destroy evidence.

Head dropped two white plastic bags in the toilet before pushing a door against an officer.

Officers used a stun grenade before tasering and handcuffing him.

Officers found a total of 28.98g of methamphetamine and 17.69g of dexamphetamine, as well as numerous clip seal bags.

Two other bags contained “the cutting agent, MSM,” Judge Stavrianou said.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails