Amy Towne faces Gladstone court for drugs charges

A drug-using carer was calmly pleading guilty to a string of related charges until one detail caused her to blow up.

Amy Towne, 39, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court to drugs possession charges. Generic image.

Amy Towne had just pleaded guilty to three drug possession charges in a Gladstone court but when the Magistrate read the fourth to her, she wasn’t happy.

The final charge was for possessing drug utensils and Magistrate Mary Buchanan said it related to Towne, 39, being found with a pipe and a bowl used in connection with smoking a dangerous drug.

Rather than immediately entering a guilty plea for that last charge, Towne expressed her disbelief.

“What?”

Magistrate Buchanan replied: “A pipe and a bowl.”

Towne responded: “I’ve been charged for a bowl?”

Magistrate Buchanan confirmed: “A bowl.”

Towne still seemingly couldn’t believe it: “A bowl? I’ve been charged for a bowl? That’s ridiculous. That’s ridiculous, that’s a f***ed up charge.”

Towne’s lawyer Rio Ramos tried to explain the situation to Towne but she wasn’t having it, further saying: “No, I’ve been charged for a bowl.”

Ms Ramos then told the court: “Just give me a second.”

But that “second” wasn’t required as police prosecutor Sergeant Pepi Gangemi chimed in, telling Magistrate Buchanan she could take the “bowl” out of the charge because “it’s not going to change anything.”

Ms Buchanan then read the drug utensils charge to Towne minus the “bowl” and a plea of guilty was forthcoming.

The matter could then proceed.

The court heard that in April, Towne was busted with methamphetamine and cannabis – and a glass pipe.

When Sgt Gangemi detailed the weights of the drugs Towne was caught with, she interjected with a protest centred around bag weight.

“No, that’s a lie,” Towne said in reference to the prosecution facts on drug weights.

After some further dialogue, Sgt Gangemi again made a concession with the drug weights saying: “It’s not going to make any difference.”

Despite receiving that concession, Towne still wanted to express her opinion.

“It does make a difference – to my record,” she quipped.

Solicitor Ramos gave Towne some quiet words and Sgt Gangemi was able to finish his submission.

Towne had a one-page criminal history which included previous drug offending.

Ms Ramos said Towne was receiving a carer’s support pension as she was caring for a friend.

She also said there was a three-year period where Towne did not use drugs but she relapsed when she had a relationship breakdown.

Magistrate Buchanan fined Towne $600 and a conviction was recorded.