Former “Boss” and Douglas Shire resident, Mark David Gladwin, has been sentenced to five years gaol for possession of more than 100g of pure methylamphetamine with an estimated street value of more than $30,000.
Mr Gladwin worked in Port Douglas as a supervisor with Hall Contracting dredging the Inlet before skippering and engineering “MV The Boss” luxury boat charter company from July 2010.
Mr Gladwin had an illustrious professional career before his life spiralled out of control, having graduated with a Bachelor of Technology, Microelectronic Engineering and Aviation at Griffith University, graduated from the Royal Military College at Duntroon as an Army Reserve Officer, and joining the 2/14 Light Horse Regiment as Troop Commander.
Yesterday, Cairns Supreme Court heard Mr Gladwin’s life spiralled into drugs after breaking up with his long-term partner, and having access to his children denied.
After earlier pleading guilty to one count of drug possession over the April 2020, he was sentenced to five years gaol. In court it came to light that Mr Gladwin has a lengthy criminal history is facing further drug related charges.
“This, in my submission, is an escalating in his offending,” Crown Prosecutor Stephanie Williams said.
Ms Williams called for a sentence up to six years given “ the quantity of the methylamphetamine and the purpose he possessed it.”
Mr Gladwin was identified by police driving a vehicle erratically along the Captain Cook Highway between Yorkeys Knob and Cairns City, before parking outside a hotel.
Shortly after, police officers searched his hotel room, finding a quantity of drugs, drug utensils and a baton.
Barrister Bridie Bilic, in defense, argued that Mr Gladwin has a “good prospect” of rehabilitation, and that he had suffered a “sharp and swift downfall.”
“He had been successful at everything he turned his hand to,” she said.
Mr Gladwin will be eligible for parole in December 2021. He faces further drug-related charges which are yet to be finalised.
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