Zachary Musgrave of Percy Street, Wellington, was fined a total of $550 and disqualified for three months, for two counts of possessing a prohibited drug and one of drug driving.

The 26-year-old was stopped for random breath and drug testing in Church Street, Mudgee, at about 12.25am on Sunday, May 10, 2020. When asked about his movements, he said that he was going to get a haircut, but when police pointed out that it was after midnight, he hesitated then claimed he was going to see a friend.

Musgrave didn't give a reason why he was in Mudgee. Furthermore, a check of his identity revealed information of interest to police, who had seen his vehicle earlier at a premises suspected of drug supply.

For these reasons a search was conducted. Officers found a total of 1.62g of methamphetamine in three foil packages inside a backpack and 0.5g of cannabis bud in a cigarette pack in his jacket pocket.

The defendant was also fined $110 for a separate charge of possessing a knife in a public place. At about 4am on Tuesday, April 21, 2020, police were patrolling Wellington when they stopped his vehicle for random breath testing.

A negative result was recorded, however a check of his identification revealed information of interest to officers, who decided to carry out a search. They found a box-cutter blade wrapped with foil to create a handle.

Musgrave was heard to say "oh, I forgot that was in there" and claimed that he used it to work on friends' cars. Police noted - in the facts submitted to court for sentence - that this wasn't a legitimate reason for having the knife with him at the time, as it was unlikely he'd be carrying out such work at 4am.

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Alex Robert Grant of Windeyer Road, Windeyer, was fined $550 and disqualified for three months, which will be followed by a 12-month interlock period.

At about 10.35pm on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, the 25-year-old was stopped for random breath testing in Richardson Street, San Remo. The roadside test was positive and he was taken to Toukley Police Station, where a breath analysis of 0.092 was recorded.

Police noted that Grant refused to answer any questions about drinking, slurred his speech, and was unsteady and made clumsy movements. Magistrate David Day, when finalising the mid-range charge in court, said, "he's had the matter moved here for his convenience, and knowing the date, has chosen not to come".

Scott Michael Martin of Gladstone Street, Mudgee, was fined $330 for a charge of 'Possess prohibited drug'.

At about 2.10am on Saturday, February 29, 2020, police spotted the 45-year-old skateboarding along Perry Street, Mudgee, and stopped and spoke to him - having previously warned him about riding on the road at night. Furthermore, 10 days earlier he'd been found with cannabis concealed behind one of his knee-pads.

Martin was searched and 0.58g of the drug was found in his backpack, which he denied knowledge of. When sentencing the defendant in his absence, Magistrate Day said he would proceed because "I'm satisfied Mr Martin knows where the courthouse is".

Mark Anthony Ellis of Bell Street, Mudgee, was fined a total of $1650 and disqualified for six months, for charges of drug driving while disqualified.

The 35-year-old was stopped for random breath and drug testing on the Sydney Road, Mudgee, at about 7.30pm on Tuesday, April 28, 2020. When asked to produce his licence he said he didn't have it with him, however after further questioning he admitted he didn't have one.

Ellis tested positive to methamphetamine and was taken to Mudgee Police Station, where a second sample detected the drug, which was later confirmed by laboratory analysis. A check of his licence also revealed that he was disqualified until 2028.