Corey Brett Charlton: Geraldton man sentenced to 10 months for carrying almost 22 grams of dimethylamphetamine

A Geraldton man caught with almost 22 grams of dimethylamphetamine has been sentenced to a prison term of 10 months. Corey Brett Charlton, 34, pleaded guilty to two charges of drug possession with intent to sell or supply for carrying one bag containing 21.9 grams of dimethylamphetamine and 2.67 grams of methylamphetamine. On June 11, 2022, Charlton had been in a car with a driver, carrying the drugs in a bum bag when police began to follow the vehicle. Charlton left the vehicle and walked away, but left the bag in the vehicle, which was found, as well as his licence, when police stopped the car. Appearing for sentencing in Geraldton District Court on May 9, Judge Troy Sweeney noted Charlton had a lengthy criminal history, including drug-related offences and assaults. Charlton had become involved with drugs and a bikie gang in his early 20s, but left WA to try to escape the scene. His defence lawyer said he returned to Geraldton to be with his family and friends, but was pressured to be involved in the drug deal by dealers who said he had a debt to fulfil. “Unfortunately it is not uncommon for those trying to leave the drug world to suffer setbacks,” Ms Sweeney said. The judge acknowledged Charlton had been a victim of domestic violence as a child, had been taking steps to break his drug habit, and did not appear to be involved with a drug-dealing hierarchy. However, she said she had to follow existing legal precedents, and that it was “unheard of” for a person not to be imprisoned for carrying such a large amount of dimethylamphetamine. Charlton was sentenced to 10 months in prison for possessing the bag of dimethylamphetamine, which Ms Sweeney described as relatively lesser punishment, and a four-month concurrent sentence for meth possession.