Ian Symes, 32, admitted charges of being possession of the drug ice between July 16 and July 25 in 2017 in Katherine.

Justice Anthony Graham sentenced Symes on December 3.

He was not convicted but was fined $750.

An employee who is alleged to have supplied the drug is also facing court.

The court was told Symes and the drug supplier communicated by text message and telephone calls to arrange supply, first of all, one ball of methamphetamine for $1800; and then subsequently, two other balls for $1700 each, which were paid for, and it is alleged by the Crown that the offender took possession of the drugs and then was later arrested.

“He has been a successful farmer and has a fine work record. He is a self-employed contract farmer and employs five people all year round, and up to 30 people during the bailing season. He has a turnover of up to $5m a year. In fact, the person who supplied him these drugs was an employee,” Justice Graham said.

“I formed a view that the offender is likely to have very much learnt his lesson from this and his assistance to the Crown has been helpful and his acknowledgement of his guilt would lead me to the view that his is unlikely to offend again,” he said.

Character statements in support of Symes were given to the court from Karly Devereux, Lesley Pitt, Monique Simpson, Paul Thompson, Trudy Oxley and Susan Eiermann.

“He is a well-respected member, it seems, of the community and has strong input into the local rugby league club. He is a charitable donor. He has donated $100,000 worth of hay to the Queensland drought relief and he is active in the Farmer’s Federation and on the committee,” Justice Graham said.

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