Yasmin El-Masri sentenced to a good behaviour bond for marijuana and gel blaster offences
A young woman who was originally charged with commercial drug trafficking has been sentenced for gun and drug offences after a lucky break in court.
Local
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A medical receptionist has been spared convictions for a drugs and gun bust after her serious drug trafficking charge was downgraded.
Yasmin El-Masri, 24, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis, cannabis resin or oil and multiple charges of possessing unregistered gel blasters, while not holding a firearms licence.
The offences stemmed from a bust at Oakden on June 18, 2021.
El-Masri, originally charged with commercial drug trafficking, tried to plead guilty to all charges on her first court appearance in August last year.
However, she was stopped by Magistrate Nick Alexandrides who told her the charges could not be finalised in the Magistrates Court as they would need to be committed to the District Court.
“These are serious charges with very serious consequences,” he said.
Gel blasters were declared a regulated imitation firearm in 2020.
As of April 15, 2021, any person in possession of a gel blaster firearm must possess a category 4 (paintball shooting) firearms licence and the gel blaster firearm must be registered as a firearm with a serial number.
El-Masri, who told the court on her first court appearance she was working as a medical receptionist, had an assault charge dropped earlier this year.
Outside court, she lowered her mask to smile for the photographer and replied “oh cool” when she heard the photo would be in The Advertiser.
In the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday, El-Masri, who had her commercial drug trafficking charge downgraded to a simple possession charge, was sentenced to a $100, 12-month good-behaviour bond.
No convictions were recorded.
Magistrate Simon Smart also ordered forfeiture of the drugs, cannabis grinder and the seized firearms.
Petition roasted as coffee business approved for town’s main street
A coffee roasting business has won the green light for McLaren Vale’s main street – but a petition against it had a major problem.
Son of AFL great dazzles in country footy thrashing
The son of a former Port Adelaide and North Melbourne premiership player has kicked a whopping 20 goals in a regional footy match. See the video.