Tarleah Michelle Hower and Doris Enid Swindle plead guilty in Chinchilla Magistrates Court to drug related charges

A grandmother, her son and granddaughter all appeared before court on drug related charges after police found cannabis plants throughout their house. Here’s what happened.

Three generations of a Chinchilla family found themselves in court after police uncovered cannabis plants growing in a grandmother’s home.

While the trio have all been charged, only the grandmother and granddaughter had their cases brought before Chinchilla Magistrates Court.

The grandmother, Doris Enid Swindle, pleaded guilty to unlawfully producing a dangerous drug and the granddaughter, Tarleah Michelle Hower, pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing a water pipe used in connection with a dangerous drug and unlawfully using a dangerous drug.

The son, Adam Royce Swindle, had his matter adjourned to March 30 as they wait to obtain body cam footage from the incident.

Police prosecutor Chris Hutchins said police swooped on the family home on January 18, 2023 and while the son has a “genuine reason” to grow plants as he was prescribed medicinal cannabis, it was still illegal.

“It’s still illegal but there’s a genuine reason and no doubt that’s perhaps why mum is turning a blind eye and the niece is unfortunately in that situation where it’s around and available,” Mr Hutchins said.

Mr Hutchins said this was clearly not a secretive operation as “the grow tents are in the kitchen area, the common areas, you can see them, they’re not in back rooms”.

“But really she’s (the grandmother) caught by the party provisions and being the owner-occupier (she’s at fault).

“The granddaughter lives there and obviously partakes a little bit and has a utensil. She’s obviously not growing the drugs but she’s there.”

Defence lawyer Brad Skuse said both Swindle and Hower had no previous history and should be punished lightly.

“Only a small number of plants were located on this occasion,” he said.

“Hower is caring for Swindle who has issues relating to anxiety and other physical matters.”

Magistrate Kyna Morice handed Swindle a $400 fine with no conviction recorded and Hower a $500 fine, for the additional charge, with no convictions recorded.