Sam Bradbrook

AN Elizabeth North man will spend at least two years and nine months in prison after he was caught dropping a duffle bag containing drugs over a fence and into a backyard.

Shaun Michael Murphy, 47, faced the Adelaide District Court earlier this month after pleading guilty to fabricating evidence, trafficking a controlled drug, aggravated possession of a proscribe firearm without a licence, possessing an unregistered firearm, possessing ammunition without a licence, failing to answer a police officer’s question, contravening an intervention order and breach of bond.

The court head Murphy was walking along Broadmeadows Road, Elizabeth North, on May 9, 2018, with a bag draped over his shoulders before he turned onto Donnington Road and threw it over the fence of a house and walked on.

A passer-by reported his actions to police who were already following him. They retrieved the bag and found a crystal substance containing 8.5g of methamphetamine, resealable bags, digital scales, a calibration weight, a metal spoon, a cut straw spoon and a small tin of cannabis.

A later search of Murphy’s home located a single shot striker-style firearm constructed out of brass hose fitting and pop-up sprinkler parts, 54 rounds of blank ammunition, two shotgun shells and live long rifle ammunition.

The firearm was tested and was found to be unusable in its current state, however modifications would have allowed it to fire. It was also able to be concealed on Murphy’s person.

In his subsequent interview with police he denied knowledge of the drugs and alleged another man – referred to John Smith during sentencing – had given him the gun and ammunition.

Another person – referred to as AS during sentencing – was also remanded at the time and declared he owned the guns and ammunition, but police had observed telephone calls between Murphy and his partner where they discussed someone else taking ownership of the firearm.

Judge Michael Durrant sentenced Murphy to five years, one month and nine days in prison, with a non-parole period two years, nine months and 21 days.

In sentencing, Judge Durrant said Murphy was a “serious firearms offender” who had experienced a violent home invasion a month earlier which led him to obtain the firearm and ammunition.

“You were using methamphetamine daily and I accept that at least some of the quantity of meth was for your personal use,” he said.

“While I do not place you toward the upper end for this type of offending, I do not accept that you were merely feeding your own addiction.

“Your prior offending is extensive.  Your first conviction was recorded at about the age of 15.  Your antecedent report shows a range of offending, some of it very serious.”

The sentence was backdated to May 9, 2018, when Murphy was arrested.