Man jailed on drugs, weapons charges

A 36-year-old man who pleaded guilty to 27 firearms, drugs and driving charges has been sentenced to 12 months jail and fined almost $10,000.

Magistrate Donna Webb described Daniel Craig Wise as “selfish” and “self-absorbed” when he appeared in Geraldton Magistrate’s Court last week.

The charges related to incidents at Bluff Point, Webberton and Drummond Cove in January, Yardarino in March, Beachlands in April, and Moresby in June.

In January, Wise was found in Bluff Point with 0.122g of methamphetamine, one gram of cannabis, and two smoking utensils.

At his home in Drummond Cove, police discovered a metal baton with a concealed blade, a Sportco Martinirifle stolen from Ellendale in 2015 and ammunition.

While searching Wise’s workshop in Webberton, police further discovered a BSA air rifle stolen from Beverly last year, a wooden nunchuka, a deconstructed pistol, a .22-calibre rifle, about 205 rounds of ammunition, 23.6g of cannabis, one gram of dexamphetamine and two homemade bongs.

In March, Wise was charged with reckless driving when he was clocked speeding at 164km/h along Brand Highway.

Wise, who had 23 unpaid fines, was also charged with no authority to drive and his licence suspended until next April.

In late April and June Wise was charged again with no authority to drive.

Wise was placed on conditional bail in June, but was brought back to court after issues with urine samples and arriving late to appointments.

Ms Webb said his behaviour over the four weeks was “disappointing”.

“I was persuaded to give him bail so he could try and get his life on track,” she said.

“But he’s not hit the mark. This indicates a man who has no regard for family, anybody or court orders.

“This doesn’t indicate someone who wants to change his life.”

Wise’s lawyer Julie Gray said her client recognised his behaviour was wrong and had referred himself to services.

“He’s aware his actions mean he’s losing everything,” she said.

“What hurts most is he’s let his children down. He wants to be a good role model and wants a better future for himself and his family.”

Ms Webb fined Wise a total of $6000 and sentenced him to four concurrent jail terms of three months or less, for the 11 weapons charges.

The magistrate also fined Wise $500 and sentenced him to two six-month concurrent jail terms and one six-month cumulative jail term for the driving charges.

Addressing the seven drugs charges, Ms Webb fined Wise $2800 and sentenced him to three months concurrent imprisonment.

She also sentenced him to three months jail concurrent for possession of stolen or unlawfully obtained property.

Wise was fined $600 for providing false or misleading personal details.