Father sold drugs in nightclubs to find daughter's rapists


A GOLD Coast man tried to infiltrate the local nightclub scene by selling drugs in a bid to find men he believed had pack-raped his daughter, a court heard.

 The Brisbane Supreme Court was told Desmond John Daves, 49, was caught in possession of a large sum of cash and drugs on February 23 last year.

The court was told Daves was arrested a week after being granted a 12-month wholly suspended jail term for similar offences and using his daughter's alleged attack as his excuse.

Crown prosecutor Sandra Cupina said Daves was in possession of the drugs ecstasy, cocaine and speed and more than $15,000 in cash when arrested by undercover police at his Chevron Island home.

Ms Cupina said a week earlier, Supreme Court Justice Margaret Wilson had convicted Daves of similar charges dating back to October 2005.

Barrister Roly O'Regan, for Daves, said his client turned into an amateur undercover operative to find the alleged rapists.

Mr O'Regan said Daves believed his daughter was pack-raped after her drink was spiked in early 2005.

The court was told Daves believed that by entering the drug trade he would ferret out the attackers.

He pleaded guilty to three counts each of possessing dangerous drugs and possessing items used in connection with drugs, two of assaulting police and one of driving while suspended.

Ms Cupina said Daves was also arrested in October 2005 after a police pursuit. She said during that arrest Daves assaulted police and broke a bone in an officer's hand.

Justice Ken McKenzie sentenced Daves to four years' jail, suspended immediately because he had served 622 days in custody.