Paul John Sassall, 35, of Kiama, was stopped by a drug detection dog called Rufus as he went to enter the Yours and Owls festival at Stuart Park the afternoon of October 1.

With the dog indicating towards his pocket, the Nowra Farmers Market managing director admitted to police that he had drugs on him, before he was escorted to a nearby area and searched. 

Police found a plastic resealable satchel in his left pocket. Testing later confirmed it contained 0.45 grams of cocaine. 

Addressing Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday, Sassall’s solicitor, Robert Dawson, said his client had struggled to tell his family about the charge, which was “a matter he will carry with him for the rest of his life”. 

Mr Dawson asked the court to consider Sassall a person of otherwise good character, and to take into account his regret, remorse, embarrassment and contribution to society as the head of a business that was a source of a growing number of jobs. 

In a written submission, Sassall said an “extraordinary set of circumstances” had preceded the offence. 

“[October 1] was the culmination of  a perfect wave of self-sabotage in the lead-up to a number of life changing events including a major home renovation which has meant my pregnant wife and I have been living out of a suitcase or the past three months; my business has been growing exponentially and we have recently restructured (all in our peak busy period while my business partner is on annual leave).”

“I am ashamed to say that I have not coped well under the pressure.” 

Sassall, who was awarded best young entrepreneur at the 2014 Shoalhaven Business Awards, expressed concern that his ability to pursue business opportunities overseas would be limited if he were convicted of the offence. 

Magistrate Michael Stoddart noted Sassall was about to become a first-time father.

“That’s probably one of the most important events in someone’s life,” he said. 

“You’re supposed to be a leader in your business. 

“Why are you involving yourself in illegal activities?”

“Surely you can go and have a good time without involving yourself in this. You go and buy this cocaine, you’re keeping the business of drug dealers going.” 

Sassall was ultimately convicted of possessing a prohibited drug, and fined $500.