From homeowner to homeless - drugs took it all

A Geraldton magistrate identified a 28-year-old man who appeared in court as “poster boy for why not to use drugs”, after he went from homeowner to homeless in the space of a few years.

Karl Robert John Schiel had his skipper’s ticket by age 21, and when aged in his early 20s bought land, a house, and became engaged.

However, after being exposed to drugs in the workplace and after the breakdown of his relationship, Schiel began losing control of his life.

He appeared in the Geraldton Magistrate’s Court last week, charged with obstructing police officers, breaching a violence restraining order, breach of bail and disobeying summons.

Magistrate Donna Webb said unlike many other young people who came into wealth early in their careers thanks to mining, Schiel had initially directed his money towards sound investments in his future.

“But he slips into drug use, and there’s indications that he’s being affected, and then he loses it all,” she said.

Schiel will appear for sentencing on October 3.