A magistrate has served a Wagga man with a dose of reality after he requested to delay his sentencing to go on a family cruise.
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Grant Edwin Ward made the bold request via his solicitor in Wagga Local Court this week, awaiting his sentence after he took to social media to share a selfie with an unauthorised, prohibited firearm.
The 34-year-old was subject to two good behaviour bonds when he posted the photo of the double-barrel shotgun with exposed hammers in May this year.
Magistrate Erin Kennedy told solicitor David Barron his client was lucky to be in the community at all.
“I understand you have your instructions but I am not willing to consider this when this (an intensive corrections order) is an alternative to prison,” Ms Kennedy said.
Ward told police he was in possession of the weapon because an associate had asked him to repair the hammer so he could bring it to Sydney in exchange for drugs.
The Kooringal man pleaded guilty to the charge.
Magistrate Erin Kennedy told Ward his honesty was why he wasn’t ending his day behind bars.
“A double-barrel shotgun is a serious thing to have and I am assuming drug use was behind you posting it,” she said.
“I have to give you the benefit of honesty because you were open with police, to your detriment really.”
Ward was sentenced to a 12-month intensive corrections order and will be subject to a 12-month good behaviour bond.