UPDATE: A man has been released from custody after a magistrate ruled his methamphetamine use had “destroyed his life, and that of his family.” Steele Chester Mansell, aged 32, faced the Launceston Magistrates Court on January 7, 2024, after spending 124 days in custody.
Mansell, from Mayfield, changed several previous not guilty pleas to guilty, including charges related to family violence, burglary, and theft. His defense lawyer, Mark Doyle, emphasized that drugs had a devastating grip on Mansell’s life, noting, “It’s been a longer road than he or his family would have wanted it to be.”
The court heard alarming details about Mansell’s behavior. On January 31, 2024, at around 3:32 AM, he unlawfully entered a property in Summerhill, where he stole tools from a parked vehicle. Just weeks later, on February 19, 2024, he harassed his ex-partner at her home in Newnham, throwing flowers and banging on doors. His escalating violence culminated on September 21, 2024, when he removed a Google security camera from her residence, later returning it.
Prosecutor Anne Knox presented a strong case against Mansell, who was deemed a persistent family violence offender. Magistrate Sharon Cure expressed deep concern over Mansell’s drug history, stating, “You can’t control that… It’s destroyed his life, and that of his family.”
In a significant turn, Magistrate Cure recognized Mansell’s commitment to rehabilitation, attributing part of his awakening to a recent autoimmune disease diagnosis, which could have serious health implications if he resumed drug use. She sentenced Mansell to nine months in jail, backdated to September 5, allowing him to walk free thanks to an 18-month suspended sentence.
Additionally, Mansell received a 15-month driving disqualification and was subject to a 12-month family violence order. The court hopes these measures will encourage him to continue on a path of recovery.
As this story develops, Mansell’s future remains uncertain, but the magistrate’s emphasis on rehabilitation offers a glimmer of hope for change. The impact of his past actions serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of addiction.
