NOT even an offer of $1 million in properties as surety was enough to secure the release on bail of a Bathurst man facing serious drug supply charges related to cocaine, ecstasy tablets and methylamphetamines when he appeared before the Bathurst Local Court on Monday.
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The man Phillip Doueihi, 34 was in custody appearing by audio visual link and seeking bail until he enters pleas on nine serious charges when his case returns on Monday, February 23 at the Bathurst Court House.
Magistrate Thomas Hodgson heard lengthy submissions from Doueihi’s solicitor, Greg Goold, to have his client released on bail to enter a full-time drug rehabilitation program in months before Doueihi enters pleas and according to the solicitor, will be sentenced to a gaol term of at least two years.
Doueihi has been charged with supplying a small quantity and indictable amount (3.4g) of cocaine on May 11, supply of 14g of ecstasy (MDMA) on March 13, supply of prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis between April 17 and May 9, three transactions involving ecstasy in 30 days for financial or material reward.
Other charges relate to Doueihi having possession of 14g of ecstasy and an amount of cannabis on May 11, supply of 200 ecstasy tablets on March 19, 1kg of methylamphetamine, the use of an unauthorised Desert Eagle pistol about 4.45pm on December 5, 2007 at Clear Creek and possession of the same pistol without a permit.
Director of Public Prosecutions managing lawyer Ron England said it was up to the court whether Doueihi’s application for bail should be considered.
But the defendant had a record showing two prior occasions when he failed to appear before the court.
Mr Goold said Doueihi, of Bishop Street, Bathurst, had reached a stage where he acknowledged his guilt and was prepared to do time.
Doueihi had recognised the need change his lifestyle, Mr Goold said. As a gaol inmate Doueihi had attended every narcotics anonymous meeting while on remand in custody, giving assistance to other inmates to come out of prison drug free.
Mr Good said the Correctional Services Chaplain, Jonathan “Jono” Williams and Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous co-ordinator Rex Hornby were in court to support Doueihi in his application to begin drug and alcohol rehabilitation in a full time program on the Central Coast.
Mr Goold said Doueihi’s parents were prepared to offer surety of $1 million they had in equity on properties in Bathurst and Orange to enable the defendant to enter rehabilitation for three months before sentencing.
But the magistrate took into account the serious nature of the charges, saying the community had to be protected.
