A FORMER Albury drug squad detective has been given another chance after being caught drug driving.
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Matthew Louis Marshall, 46, had found out his compensation claim with the NSW Police insurer had been knocked back.
The former officer of 14 years had gone on sick leave in May 2011, suffering PTSD, and turned to ice and then drug-dealing after he left the force.
Albury Local Court on Tuesday heard he had relapsed into ice use earlier this year following the news from the police insurer.
Police had caught Marshall driving a Ford Territory on Logan Road in Albury on March 24 – the same day as the Gold Cup.
He was tested about 11.20pm and found to have methamphetamine in his system.
The court heard Marshall – who was jailed for his role in a drug-dealing group in 2013 – had taken the drug a few days earlier during a period of relapse.
He had been given the substance by a friend.
Lawyer Mark Cronin said Marshall had told the officers he hadn’t used for “some days” prior to the drug driving test.
While he noted the 46-year-old had serious supply matters on his record, he also had an excellent driving history with a minor infringement in 2005.
This, he argued, meant a dismissal of the charges without conviction was appropriate.
Magistrate Erin Kennedy agreed and said he deserved a chance to prove himself in the community.
“You know it’s no friend of yours giving you those substances, no friend at all,” she said.
Marshall had been ordered to spend at least seven-months in jail in 2013 for his role in the drug ring, with a maximum of 18 months.