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Man who pled guilty to weapons charges walks free on suspended sentence

Rachel FennerMandurah Coastal Times

A MAN who police discovered with a cache of weapons in June, walked free from Mandurah Magistrates Court this morning.

Lee David Garnett previously pleaded guilty to more than 16 weapons charges, receiving stolen property, possession of drug paraphernalia and cannabis, and fraud.

Garnett’s lawyer Trent Petherick said there was no doubt his client’s offending had escalated significantly following a similar conviction in January.

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He described his client as suffering from a serious drug addiction and asked for a rehabilitative sentence.

Mr Petherick admitted that this would be a lenient outcome.

He explained that his client was a first time father to be, who realised he had to change his ways.

Magistrate Vivien Edwards said Garnett’s offending was of concern.

“There has been an escalation of behaviour,” she said.

“I accept your behaviour is the result of the use of illicit substances.”

Magistrate Edwards addressed glowing character references Garnett presented to the court.

“The authors of these references don’t know you as well as they think they do,” she said.

“It is clear you do need assistance to deal with drug issues.

“It is for the community’s and your benefit for you to take programs.”

Despite the prosecutor’s request for imprisonment and Magistrate Edwards’ previous statement that she was considering a term of imprisonment, she sentenced Garnett to a suspended term.

The term will run for a period of 18 months and if triggered will result in nine months in jail.

He was also given a global fine of $2000 and put on an intensive supervision order with program requirements.