A Mandurah man blamed a Gumtree transaction-gone-wrong after he pleaded guilty to possessing $300 of counterfeit cash when he appeared in the Mandurah Magistrates Court on Friday January 5.
David Thomas Ryan, 53, also pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine and a smoking pipe.
Prosecuting sergeant Mick Fallows told the court the counterfeit cash was found in Ryan’s glove box after he was stopped by police travelling along Warnbro Avenue on December 15.
Legal aid officer Margaret Mcnulty said that Ryan had sold a TV and VCR through classifieds website Gumtree, prior to being stopped and realised shortly after that the cash was fake.
Magistrate Anna Longden said Ryan’s explanation was "a little odd”.
Sgt Fallows said the police searched Ryan’s house after they seized the cash and found 1 gram of cocaine, a smoking pipe and 0.93 grams of methamphetamine.
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Ms Mcnulty said Ryan had a strong work record, being a qualified chef and having had past experience as a manager.
He became a full-time carer two years ago for his mother and began to struggle financially, Ms Mcnulty said.
Ms Longden said Ryan’s situation was disheartening.
“It is a shame that you have such a strong working history. Things seem to have unravelled for you,” she said.
Ryan was given a six-month program-based community order.
Carla Hildebrandt
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
