AN ALLEGED drug dealer jailed in Wodonga for driving matters could face further prison time in Albury once he’s released.
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Clinton John Lillis, 35, was recently ordered to spend a month behind bars during a hearing in the Wodonga Magistrates Court.
The charges were relatively minor compared to what he will face in the Albury Local Court once he has served his time in Victoria.
Lillis was caught driving on Thomas Mitchell Drive on December 28 last year, only days after his licence was suspended until 2024.
He tested positive to methamphetamine and refused to go back to the police station.
The former Dederang-Mt Beauty, Wodonga Saints and Wodonga Raiders player had also breached a corrections order, failed to answer bail, and was driving an unregistered vehicle.
Magistrate David Faram said it “sounds like there’s further trouble (in NSW) as well”, with Lillis charged with serious drug supply offences.
A warrant had been issued for his arrest in Albury on April 27 for supplying more than an indictable quantity of drugs (not cannabis).
He faces three such charges in NSW.
His lawyer Geoff Clancy told the Wodonga court his criminal history had “blown out in the last two years”.
He had been living a perfectly normal life with a partner and children and a job as a concreter.
The relationship broke up and coupled with mental health issues, Lillis’ life began on a downward slope.
The 35-year-old had a job lined up before he was arrested.
Mr Clancy said his client had gone from working full time and paying taxes to “what we see now”.
“They have seen the slide downhill for their son,” Mr Clancy said of his parents, who both live on the Border.
He had asked for a short stint behind bars and noted the “bigger fish” to fry across the border.
Lillis has multiple priors for driving while suspended or unlicensed.
Mr Faram told the 35-year-old he was the only one who could change his life from its current path.
“He’s got to step up,” he said.
“He’s got to change.”
His mother and partner started crying as Lillis was being sentenced.
“Everything’s going to be alright,” he whispered to them, appearing distressed.
He hugged both women from the dock before being led out of the court.
Lillis was fined $1750 and his licence was disqualified for a further year by the magistrate.