NSW District Court Judge Andrew Colefax sentenced Hayden Goodsell, 25, to 18 months’ jail on Wednesday, November 14, in Bega District Court.

Judge Colefax adjourned the matter to Parramatta District Court on February 1, 2019, for Goodsell to undergo an intensive correction order assessment.

During cross examination Goodsell, who earlier this year pleaded guilty to supplying prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, and supplying an indictable quantity of a prohibited drug (not cannabis) to an undercover police officer in 2017 and 2018, told the court he was “sorry” for what he had done.

“It [ice] destroys marriages, relationships and affects children,” he said.

Goodsell said “out-of-control” gambling led to him “maxing out credit cards and loans”, and to use the drug to deal with depression after losing his home, job and car.

“I realised it [ice] was a band-aid for my gambling addiction,” he said. “I wasn’t in it to make thousands of dollars, but to support my habit. I should never have touched the drug.”

Crown prosecutor Brett Diggins said Goodsell’s “enterprise” was “not sophisticated, but organised”, and was increasing at the time of his arrest earlier this year. He pressed for a custodial sentence.

Goodsell denied agreeing to supply the undercover officer with half an ounce of ice, saying he had “pretended” and “never actually tried to”. Judge Colefax said Goodsell’s testimony contradicted the agreed facts of the case, which stated he had not sourced the amount due to difficulties locating it. He said Goodsell had “guarded” prospects of rehabilitation, had shown remorse and had pleaded guilty early. 

Judge Colefax told the court an expert had not yet assessed Goodsell’s claimed “substantial gambling problem”, and that possible mental health issues had been “inadequately explored”.

“That wicked and vile drug has devastating consequences for those who use it,” Judge Colefax told the court.