A MAN who stabbed his victim in the chest in a drug deal gone wrong has avoided jail despite committing further offences while out on bail.
Michael John Cardosa met his victim at Mandurah’s KFC where he sold him drugs that were later found by the victim not to be methylamphetamine as requested.
When Mr Cardosa agreed to meet with the victim again, this time at a Greenfields deli, a scuffle broke out when the victim threw the drugs back at Mr Cardosa.
The victim suffered serious chest and hand injuries in the stabbing and was taken to Royal Perth Hospital.
The court heard Mr Cardosa’s strike had the potential to kill his victim, had the knife struck a major artery or organ.
Despite showing no empathy towards his victim Mr Cardosa was not jailed, instead ordered to undergo regular urine testing which he subsequently failed on numerous occasions.
Described as having a “long-standing drug problem”, Magistrate Vivien Edwards found Mr Cardosa was at a high risk of reoffending due to his drug use.
The court also heard while out on bail, Mr Cardosa’s home was raided by officers who found amphetamines, six glass smoking implements and a large assortment of ammunition.
Mr Cardosa is yet to plead to a subsequent firearm charge stemming from that police search.
Supported by his mother at the back of the court, Mr Cardosa faced an immediate jail term and despite his lack of remorse, reoffending and failure to stay drug-free as required, Magistrate Vivien Edwards sentenced the 28-year-old to a suspended prison term.
He was sentenced to 12 months jail, suspended for 15 months and fined a total $3100 for his other offences and ordered to pay court costs.
He will next appear in court on October 31 in regards to the firearm charge.
