Tayla D’Arcy in court for second breach of suspended sentence

After already breaching a suspended jail sentence once, this Central Queensland mum failed to kick her meth habit and found herself back before a District Court judge.

Tayla Elaine D'Arcy.

A Gladstone mum has avoided going to jail after her meth habit led to her breaching a suspended jail sentence for the second time.

Tayla Elaine D’Arcy, 29, was sentenced in the District Court at Gladstone for breaching a suspended sentence.

The court heard this was the second time D’Arcy had breached the suspended sentence imposed in August, 2023, for offences including supplying a dangerous drug (operational period due to expire on June 30, 2024).

The first time D’Arcy breached the suspended sentence was when she was caught driving with both methamphetamine and cannabis in her system on December 22, 2023.

She was dealt with for that breach in the District Court with the operational period extended by three months.

Then five weeks later, D’Arcy was again caught drug driving and again with both methamphetamine and cannabis in her system.

The Crown said this second breach was linked to the original offending as “it indicates (D’Arcy) still has an issue with drug use.”

“(D’Arcy) was shown leniency when she was dealt with on the first occasion by His Honour Judge (Terry) Gardiner and this was reflected by the fact that she was afforded the benefit of a wholly suspended sentence,” the Crown said.

“Unfortunately (D’Arcy) has persisted with her drug use and has now breached the suspended sentence twice.”

Tayla Elaine D'Arcy.

The Crown said it would not be unjust to activate the whole of the suspended sentence and submitted D’Arcy could be released on immediate parole.

“The Crown submits it’s clear (D’Arcy) requires supervision.”

Barrister Julie Marsden tendered written submissions and said by way of update, D’Arcy, a mother of two, was still with her partner who was in court to support her.

“They have been together for over a year-and-a-half now,” Ms Marsden said.

The barrister said as a result of this relationship, D’Arcy’s “stability had improved” and she also had good support from her family.

“She will get her (driver’s) licence back in a couple of months,” Ms Marsden said.

Ms Marsden said D’Arcy had also engaged with Lives Lived Well (drug support agency) to arrange counselling.

“The breach (of suspended sentence) is admitted - I can’t shy away from the fact that it’s her second breach... so she sensibly concedes that it should be activated, but she be afforded the benefit of some supervision under the Parole Board,” Ms Marsden said.

Judge Amanda McDonnell activated the whole of the suspended sentence and released D’Arcy on immediate parole.