Emily Jane Gray sentenced after hiding meth-dealing boyfriend in garage during police manhunt

She attended an elite private school, and while her drug-dealing boyfriend led her astray, she continues to stand by her man. See why.

A South Australian woman who hid her drug-dealing boyfriend in her garage to help him avoid police is standing by her man, saying “people change” and she’s “proud to call him my partner”.

Emily Jane Gray, 22, was sentenced on Thursday for her role in assisting her partner, Benjamin Thomas Cairns, 28, evade police in Mount Gambier in April 2022.

Gray pleaded guilty to several charges including driving while disqualified, breaching bail, hindering police and entering a licensed premises she was banned from.

She was handed a six-month behaviour bond with a conviction recorded.

Gray has since fiercely defended her relationship with Cairns on social media, saying: “I stand by everything I have done and continue to do for my partner”.

“Just because people do bad things doesn’t make them a bad person,” she posted.

“A drug addiction is something I don’t wish upon anyone and I’m proud to call him my partner.”

Sentencing for Emily Jane Gray, who attempted to shield her partner from police in her garage after he cut off his ankle monitor has been delayed over an admin error. Picture: Supplied.

Sentencing for Emily Jane Gray, who attempted to shield her partner from police in her garage after he cut off his ankle monitor has been delayed over an admin error. Picture: Supplied.

Police prosecutors previously told the Mount Gambier Magistrate Court during a large manhunt for Cairns on April 11, 2022, that Gray was “adamant” her partner was not at her home, preventing them from searching the property.

“She initially refused entry to the place shortly after police attended the address with a warrant – and located (Cairns) hiding in a garage,” a police prosecutor said.

Cairns will be sentenced later this month after he was caught with $30,000 worth of meth and pleaded guilty to three counts of drug ­trafficking.

During a court hearing on Thursday, it was also discovered that Ms Gray, a Tenison Woods College old scholar, had a Victorian criminal ­record.

Following a brief adjournment, it was revealed Gray had avoided a conviction for possession of ammunition, dishonestly receiving stolen goods and dealing with property suspected of being proceeds of a crime.

Benjamin Cairns pleaded guilty to drug trafficking. Photo: Facebook

Emily Jane Gray stands by her meth-dealing boyfriend. Picture: Supplied

Rachel Regester, for Gray, said the Victorian charges occurred in March 2022 and predated her offending in SA.

“These matters are 12 months old now – given she’s been on bail for over 12 months now, perhaps a good behaviour bond is warranted,” Ms Regester said.

The prosecution said Gray breached her bail twice after she spoke with her partner via video, while he was locked up at the Mount Gambier prison.

Ms Regester said Gray had realised her relationship with Cairns was “not the most positive influence” but acknowledged the two were still in a relationship.

Following a police raid in May 2021, Cairns was caught with 95.51g of methamphetamine, 252g of fantasy and 53 Suboxone strips at Mount Gambier.

The court heard the methamphetamine was valued between $26,191 and $30,390 and the fantasy was worth between $504 and $1764.

Cairns was granted home detention bail for the offending in August 2021.

The District Court has previously heard Cairns was under the influence of meth when he cut off his home ­detention bracelet and went on the run to ­Victoria.

While in Victoria he allegedly committed further offences, including dangerous driving and drug charges, which he has not yet pleaded to.

Cairns was previously described in court as a street-level dealer, partially motivated by profit – due to the significant quantities of drugs and substantial amounts of cash found.

But Gray has staunchly defended her partner, saying most people “don’t understand” why she has continued her relationship with him.

“Most people don’t understand or have never experienced what it’s like to have a loved one with a drug addiction, people will always judge me for being with Ben,” she wrote on social media.

Gray also took to Instagram on April 10, 2023 in memory of Cairns’ 2022 arrest. “365 days since you were taken away,” the caption read.

“403 days since you made the most irrational decision, but also made you the person you are today. 475 days since your best friend died.

“I wish people seen you through my eyes and then they would understand why I stuck by your side.”