15 CHARGES: Mum’s constant run in with cops, drug squad
IN SEVEN months, a 47-year-old mother-of-seven racked up 15 drug related charges as she continually ran into police while battling a drug addiction.
Police & Courts
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A DALBY woman who racked up more 15 drug related charges during a seven month period of narcotics and crime has been sentenced in court.
Dalby Magistrates Court heard of Teresa Lee Donaldson's recidivist offending where she continued to engage in criminal activity, despite giving several notices to appear on drug offences.
The 47-year-old appeared in court and listened impassively to the bulk arraignment given by Magistrate Roger Stark, which included charges of possessing meth, weed, utensils, failing to dispose of a syringe, possessing property suspecting of being used in the commission and purpose of a drug crime, and drug driving on two separate occasions.
Police prosecutor senior constable Jodie Tahana told the court about the long list crimes committed by Donaldson, starting on December 3, about 6.15am.
The court heard the Dalby Criminal Investigation Branch and the Brisbane Drug Dog Squad executed a search warrant at a house on Loam St in Dalby.
During the search of the home, police located drug related items in multiple handbags which contained varying amounts of meth, weed, glass pipes, scales, a straw, a needle, syringe, and clip seal bags.
Her next run in with police occurred about 8am on February 12, when detectives from the State Drug Supplying squad executed a search warrant at an address in Dalby.
The court heard Donaldson was holding a handbag, which was subsequently searched by police.
A search of that bag located a sunglasses case, which held two glass pipes and a straw, and denied the items were hers.
Donaldson was then spotted driving about 1.30pm on April 22 by Dalby police travelling down Wood St, and was intercepted after checks showed the primary owner held a suspended licence.
The court heard Donaldson's behaviour was "defensive and nervous" according to police, with a search uncovering a gel blaster, and a fabric headphone case containing a straw, clip seal bags, and a white crystal substance.
She told police she didn't know what was inside the headphones case, but that it wasn't hers.
Snr const Tahana said the defendant at one point stated "I'm going to f - king kill him", and when asked about what she said, she replied "just charge me".
The next encounter with Dalby police occurred on May 20 about 10.30pm along Cunningham St, where she tested positive to meth after taking part in a random drug test.
She was then intercepted again on June 2 about 3.05pm, by the Dalby Road Policing Unit near Edward St, where Donaldson tested positive again to meth.
Another search warrant was executed 3.45pm on June 25, at a Dalby address with Donaldson present.
Police uncovered a black handbag belonging to Donaldson, which contained a clip seal bag with residue inside, and a cut plastic straw.
Donaldson was given notices to appear for all offences.
Duty lawyer Claire Graham said the mother of seven had lived a hard life in the past 17 years, suffering a heart attack in 2017, and was diagnosed with toxoplasmosis in 2015.
In relation to her drug use, the court heard Donaldson began using drugs with her previous partner when she was 30-years-old.
Ms Graham told the court she had been suffering from stress and anxiety after leaving her drug addicted partner, and finding her roommate dead at their house two months ago.
"She does instruct she has stayed off drugs after ending that relationship, with the latest in time offence back in June," she said.
"In relation to the driving offences she has been off the road for three months … but I would like to ask your honour to take into account the time she hasn't been driving."
In her final submissions Ms Graham asked if probation would be an appropriate punishment for Donaldson's offences.
Mr Stark cited she had been before the court on numerous drug matters, but said she would benefit from a period of probation.
Donaldson pleaded guilty for the drug possession, property, and utensils charges and was sentenced to 15 months probation.
For the drug driving offences she was disqualified from driving for three months for each charge, with the punishment being cumulative.
Convictions were recorded.
Everybody appearing at Dalby Magistrates Court, Wednesday, November 20
Here is a list of matters listed at Dalby Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
District Court sittings at Dalby, November 20
Here is a list of District Court sittings at Dalby on November 20