An Indigenous educator at the South Coast Correctional Centre found guilty of taking part in a criminal group to try and get prohibited drugs into the jail system has escaped a custodial sentence.
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Terrence Myles Brown, 53, of Wreck Bay, was found guilty by Judge Donna Woodburne in Sydney's Downing Centre District Court earlier this year of being a holder of a public office misconduct, participating in a criminal group contribute to criminal activity and supplying a prohibited drug.
Brown was one of six people arrested, including three prisoners and a male and female on the “outside” who were allegedly part of the plan.
All six have been charged and faced a variety of charges.
In court on Wednesday, Judge Woodburne placed Brown on a 16-month intensive correction order, meaning he will serve his sentence within the community, instead of behind bars.
Brown was placed under the supervision of Community Corrections and also ordered to undertake a rehabilitation program or receive treatment for depressive symptoms and a related mental health condition for nine months.
Police investigations and surveillance led to the alleged ring being caught.
Court papers said Brown was part of a group trying to introduce contraband to the South Coast Correctional Centre for financial reward and participated in a criminal group, contributing to criminal activity.
In August 2017, then 47-year-old Andrew Michael Perish, who was already in the South Nowra Jail and had links to the death of underworld figure, drug manufacturer and police informant Terry Falconer, was sentenced to two years’ jail over the scheme.
Perish pleaded guilty to being part of a criminal group and contributing to criminal activity.
He was charged with trying to get a quantity of buprenorphine brought into the jail between May and September 2015.
The plan was to bring around 200 tablets, which are also sold under the brand name Subutex, among others, into the jail. The opioid is used to treat opioid addiction, moderate acute pain and moderate chronic pain.
A TAB account was established as a way of payment for the drugs, with two deposits totalling $2000 made.
In July 2017 Lario Ratuvou was found guilty of being a holder of a public office misconduct, conspiring to take part in criminal activities to take prohibited drugs and other contraband into a number of jails. He was jailed for 12 months.
Read more: Court/Crime