Kurt Toole, the younger brother of NSW Nationals leader Paul Toole, has been sentenced to a maximum four years' jail for dealing drugs.
Kurt Toole, 32, was found guilty of four counts of supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug during 2020 and 2021, and one count of affray.
The Kelso man is the younger brother of former NSW police minister Paul Toole. His lawyer argued that Kurt Toole had already been subjected to harsh segregation conditions while in custody due to that relationship.
Police told the Bathurst District Court during Toole's trial that he played a high-level role in an alleged drug network operating in central-west New South Wales.
The court heard Toole supplied 6 grams of cocaine in one transaction, and another 224 grams in another, with both incidents caught on listening devices.
More than 220 grams of amphetamine was supplied in another transaction and Toole could be heard on tape referring to it as "old school gas".
The affray charge relates to a bar fight that took place during August 2020.
'Families are wrecked'
Judge Graham Turnbull said during sentencing on Wednesday that Toole should be in no doubt about the insidious effects of drugs.
"Families are wrecked. The problem is a social problem, a personal problem, and the problems of parents and children," he said.
"Accordingly, a general deterrence looms large."
Judge Turnbull noted that Toole had made steps to rehabilitate, but said it would be an affront to the community if there was not an appropriate sentence.
"He was a drug dealer when he was on parole, confidently facilitating substantial amounts of deals in the community," he said.
The judge also noted the high profile of Toole's brother.
He acknowledged the fact Toole had been kept in segregation because of that relationship.
But Judge Turnbull said any risks could be managed.
"Corrective Services, generally it is an organisation that performs very well indeed, and endeavours to be doing the best it can in confronting a challenge," he said.
"I am also of the understanding that from time to time situations arise where there are challenges, which are headed off."
He sentenced Toole to four years' jail with two years non-parole.
Toole will be eligible for parole in September 2024 due to time already served.
