South West man jailed for meth dealing

A South West man who told a psychologist he was using methamphetamine as a stimulant to work longer hours as he tried to rebuild his “empire” has been jailed.

Christopher Nigel Italiano, 49, of Margaret River, has been declared a drug trafficker after being caught “red handed” with more than 11g of meth, hundreds of clipseal bags and a tick list.

Italiano was sentenced in Bunbury District Court on Monday when he admitted to possessing meth with intent to sell or supply and threatening to kill.

The court was told, police searched Italiano’s Georgette Drive home on March 1 last year when officers uncovered 11.7g of meth at 81 per cent purity along with other drug-related items in a tool box.

In a separate incident, Italiano also sent threatening text messages to his ex-girlfriend – including one that said “I’m going to wait for you at your parent’s place. I’m going to kill you” and another that said “you’re dead in my eyes now ... you’re f...... dead”.

Six days after sending the messages, Italiano was arrested 2km from the woman’s parents’ home in Safety Bay after travelling from Margaret River.

Defence lawyer Paul Chapman said Italiano’s meth addiction “came into play” after a relationship breakdown and he turned to drugs to try to get himself back into the workforce.

Mr Chapman said Italiano was remorseful, despite Judge Fiona Vernon questioning Italiano’s initial claims that he had “no recollection” of the drugs being in the tool box and blaming his victim over the second incident.

The court was told, Italiano had spent time in jail for meth possession including being sent back to prison after breaching parole.

Judge Vernon sentenced Italiano to four years, nine months jail and made him eligible for parole.