Sarah Louise Barber, 30, pleaded guilty to four charges on Friday in Gladstone Magistrates Court

A previously convicted drug supplier was lucky to avoid receiving prison time in Gladstone Magistrates Court last Friday. Read why here:

A previously convicted drug supplier’s mistake at a Gladstone service station could have seen her sent back to prison, a court heard.

Sarah Louise Barber, 30, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Bevan Manthey to three counts of dangerous drug possession and possession drug utensils.

Police prosecutor senior sergeant Merrilyn Hoskins said Barber was on probation at the time of her most recent offending for matters which were dealt with in the Gladstone District Court on March 8, 2021.

Ms Hoskins detailed Barber’s latest offending to the court, which commenced at 4.45am on May 18, 2021.

“The defendant attended a service station on the Dawson Highway, Gladstone to fuel up,” she said.

“After getting out of her car, a clip seal bag which contained 0.8 grams of methamphetamine fell from the defendant’s pocket.

“On June 3 the defendant was located and issued her rights and cautions. She refused to answer any questions and was subsequently arrested and transported to the Gladstone watch house.”

Then on June 18, around 8.55am, police attended Barber’s Barney Street address in Barney Point in relation to another matter.

Police located Barber in a deep sleep and saw, in plain sight, a glass water pipe (bong) that had been used sitting on top of a cabinet near the window.

Barber told police she was smoking marijuana from the water pipe to try and get off harder drugs.

Police then found 0.8 grams of marijuana on top of a dresser which Barber confirmed was hers.

Sarah Louise Barber, 28, pleaded guilty to supplying dangerous drugs in Gladstone District Court on Monday.

Finally, police executed a search warrant on a Cairncross Street address in Sun Valley on June 29, 2021.

Barber and a male associate were found in a bedroom and police located 0.3 grams of methamphetamine in the bed they shared.

She made admissions to ownership of the methamphetamine, however, had no lawful reason for its possession. She was issued a notice to appear in Gladstone Magistrates Court.

Barber sobbed in her chair beside her duty lawyer Jun Pepito, who said his client was taking strides to break the cycle of dangerous drug use.

Mr Manthey said Barber was a prolific drug offender with a long history of drug use, however, he was pleased with the progress Barber was making.

“I have actually become somewhat of a role model to other girls in the community who are struggling with drug abuse,” she said.

Mr Manthey convicted and sentenced Barber to 12 months imprisonment, wholly suspended for 12 months. Convictions were recorded.