Young mum-to-be pulled over with drugs in system and laser pointers while disqualified

A magistrate has told a young mum-to-be to consider herself “warned” after she was caught driving while disqualified for a second time and in possession of laser pointers.

Elizabeth Ellen Murphy was fined and disqualified from driving after she was found to have drugs in her system while disuqlified by court and was also in possession of drugs and two laser pointers.

A mum-to-be has racked up more than $1500 in fines and received a lengthy licence disqualification after she was caught driving while disqualified and with drugs in her system.

Elizabeth Ellen Murphy, 22, pleaded guilty in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Tuesday to possessing dangerous drugs and restricted items, driving with drugs in her system and driving while disqualified by court.

Murphy was pulled over by patrolling police while driving on Boundary Street at 11pm on March 12.

Checks showed that Murphy was unlicensed after previously being disqualified in court.

When police approached her, they observed Murphy to be fidgeting with red glazed eyes and suspected her to be affected by drugs.

Officers could also smell a chemical which they suspected to be methamphetamine.

She was taken to the Bundaberg Police Station for a further drug test which returned a positive result.

Officers also found Murphy to be in possession of two laser pointers and a small amount of methamphetamine.

The court heard Murphy had a criminal history and that she was on probation and it was the second time she had driven in contravention of a court order.

Murphy, who was self-represented, told the court she had not used drugs since that night.

She said at the time of the offence was “around the wrong people” and “made mistakes”.

Murphy said she was 13 weeks’ pregnant and was receiving counselling.

She also said she was on probation and that her probation officer was happy with her progress and would not proceed to breach action.

Magistrate Andrew Moloney took into account Murphy’s plea of guilty and the facts of the matter.

He also took into account her personal circumstances.

Mr Moloney warned her that magistrates didn’t take too kindly to people who breached court orders for a third time.

“You’ve done this twice now where you’ve driven in contravention of a court order, magistrates take a certain view with people who have been caught three times, so consider yourself warned,” he said.

Murphy received a total of $1750 in fines and was disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence for two years and three months.

Convictions were recorded.