Party dad drug raid
THE party dad who made headlines when he hosted a rowdy Gordonvale birthday bash for his son and up to 700 teenage guests has pleaded guilty to drug offences.
Kelvin Davis was convicted yesterday of unlawfully possessing cannabis and utensils used to smoke the drug.
His ex-wife, Denise Lack, has been charged with the same two offences but was in hospital yesterday with a knee injury and was unable to attend court.
In February, police were called to a semi-rural property on Vico St at Gordonvale after neighbours complained about a boozy party attended by up to 700 teenagers.
The party was organised by Davis to celebrate son Ryland’s 16th birthday.
Davis defended the party and denied supplying alcohol to minors or charging an entry fee.
He blamed heavy-handed tactics by police for inflaming the situation and leading to a mass exodus of teenagers on to the streets.
Yesterday, Cairns Magistrates’ Court heard that police raided Ms Lack’s home at Gordonvale on April 23, seizing cannabis from a number of rooms in the house.
Davis had been staying at the home the previous night but was not there during the police search.
Police prosecutor Samantha Montague said in one bedroom, police found 1g of cannabis and a bong made from a soft drink bottle.
In a second bedroom, they found 1g of cannabis and another homemade bong using a plastic Powerade bottle.
Police also seized five paper bags of cannabis weighing 93g, 5g of cannabis seeds, cannabis hidden in a drawer, a purse and a mobile phone.
Davis said his marriage had broken down after he was declared bankrupt in January.
He was staying at his ex-wife’s home on the night before the police search and had slept in his son’s bedroom. He said he had left in a hurry because he was late for an appointment.
"I rushed out of the house and left the stuff there," Davis said.
"I am just sorry I dragged my family into my problems. I have been through hard times."
Davis suggested his family had been unfairly targeted by police.
But Magistrate Robert Spencer said that was not an issue he could take into consideration.
He fined Davis $650 for the two offences.
Ms Lack’s charges were adjourned until June 3.
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In the news again: Kelvin Davis (right), the Gordonvale father who made headlines for a party attended by 700 teens, leaves Cairns Courthouse after being fined for possessing cannabis and a bong.
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