Bunbury man Richard Lockyer ‘celebrated’ prison release with meth use before admitting to further drug charges

A Bunbury man who used methylamphetamine to “celebrate” being released from prison was caught with the same drug in his backpack, which police found after a scuffle that saw him flee home and attempt to hide from officers. Richard Philip Lockyer, 41, was riding his bike down Old Coast Road near Estuary Drive on April 28 last year when he was found with 10.04g of meth in his backpack in five separate clip seal bags and black balloons. Lockyer — who was earlier this month placed on a pre-sentence order in Bunbury District Court in relation to the incident — refused to comply with officers and fled to his Pelican Point home after a short scuffle. Police also found cannabis and psilocybin, or magic mushrooms, in the backpack. Officers followed the man to his home on Willis Cove, where he had locked himself in the toilet, before he eventually came out and was arrested. Lockyer’s lawyer, Twistie Venning, said the man had recently been released from prison on drug charges and had continued his meth use with his wife shortly after he returned home. “Effectively, they had a celebration when he came home — he acknowledges that he was using methylamphetamine when he was released,” he said. After obtaining a search warrant for his home, police also found additional cannabis and drug paraphernalia. During his court appearance on August 2, Lockyer was placed on a pre-sentence order, meaning he would be immediately jailed if he tested positive to an illicit substance over the next eight months. In handing down the order, Judge David MacLean accepted the meth in his possession was likely intended for his wife, but said Lockyer had to take responsibility. “It’s time for you to grow up and to stop blaming (others) … you’re responsible for making your own decisions,” he said. And it’s not a persuasive or attractive proposition that ‘poor me, it’s my evil wife that’s taking his methamphetamine, she causes me to take it’.” Judge MacLean said the pre-sentence order was an opportunity for Lockyer to positively change his life. “I’m not satisfied that chucking you in the bin today would be the best outcome for the community, but you’re really on the edge of being dropped into the bin,” he said. As part of his pre-sentence order, Lockyer was told he must report to Bunbury Police Station twice a week and remain at a fixed address. The man had pleaded guilty to obstructing public officers, possession of meth with intent to sell or supply, methamphetamine possession, two counts of cannabis possession, possessed a prohibited drug and possessed drug paraphernalia.