Melissa Boland caught drug driving 5 times in 5 years

In a shocking turn of events, a meth-using mother of three has been caught drug driving for the fifth time in five years.

Melissa Grace Boland.

Central Queensland mother of three Melissa Grace Boland had clearly not learned the lesson.

On Tuesday, the 37-year-old pleaded guilty in a Central Queensland magistrates court to drug driving and unlicensed driving - her fifth drug driving offence in the past five years.

In her latest blunder, Boland was caught behind the wheel with both meth and cannabis in her system on February 2.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Merrilyn Hoskins referred to Boland’s traffic history and submitted for a fine of $1600 and a 16-month licence disqualification for the drug driving, and a $350 fine for the unlicensed offence.

As it turned out, Boland would escape with a lesser penalty.

Melissa Grace Boland.

Solicitor Jun Pepito said Boland, a single mother of three, was prescribed medicinal cannabis and he submitted a doctor’s letter to the court.

Mr Pepito said Boland had been driving to pick her daughter up when she was caught by police.

Prior to sentencing, Magistrate Mary Buchanan said she took into account Boland was prescribed medicinal cannabis, but added “you’re obviously not prescribed methamphetamine.”

“The notice of intention to allege previous convictions and your traffic history show, this is the fifth time in five years that you have been dealt with for this offence,” Ms Buchanan said.

The magistrate said the prosecution submission on penalty was “not an inappropriate submission” but she had to take into account the difficulties faced by single mothers living in regional Queensland when imposing sentence.

Ms Buchanan fined Boland $1000 and disqualified her from driving for nine months.