Hungry greyhounds drove trainer to drug dealer

A GREYHOUND trainer supplied prescription painkillers to a known drug dealer because she needed money to feed her greyhounds.

OUT OF THE RED, AND INTO THE BLACK: Greyhound trainer Helen Wendt left Ipswich Courthouse hiding beneath a black hoodie after she was sentenced for drug offences. (INSET) Wendt pictured earlier with a red coat. Picture: Ross Irby

GREYHOUND trainer Helen Wendt supplied prescription pain killers to a known drug dealer because she needed money to feed her greyhounds.

This was Wendt's excuse to an Ipswich District Court judge when she pleaded guilty to five charges of supplying the dangerous drug Oxycodone this week.

Wendt, 58, from Walloon, was convicted and sentenced to a jail term for the offences committed in the 11 weeks between August 1, 2016, and October 21, 2016.

Wendt arrived at Ipswich Courthouse dressed in bright red and pushing a walker frame.

On receiving a suspended jail sentence, an embarrassed Wendt tried to hide beneath a man's bulky black hoodie jacket while being shielded by two middle-aged men.

Crown prosecutor Farook Anoozer said Wendt obtained prescription Oxycodone through her doctor and from another person who Wendt knew had also been prescribed the powerful pain relief medication.

He said that Wendt had used code in her texts to the drug supplier but the actual amount supplied by her, or her profit, was not known by the Crown.

"Indications are she may have made a profit of $1100," Mr Anoozer said.

"There were no actual supplies in the offences but there are indications the supply was for a profit.

"There is a commercial element to the supply."

He said the maximum penalty was 15 years' jail and that Wendt was a mature-aged woman who supplied to a person known to traffic in the drug.

Mr Anoozer said Wendt did not supply to a user but sought out this man and discussed the quantity of the drug with him.

Judge Alexander Horneman-Wren SC said Wendt had no criminal history.

Defence barrister David James sought a jail term of no more than nine months, immediately suspended for 18 months.

"She found herself in financial difficulties as she couldn't afford to feed her greyhounds," Mr James said.

"Someone in the greyhound industry suggested she supply the pain relief medication.

"It seems naïve what she involved herself in."

Mr James said the legal process had been a sobering process for Wendt at her age.

"It wasn't the drug that fuelled her offending. It was desperation for funds and she was susceptible to these type of suggestions," he said.

The court heard Wendt was on a new medical regime that did not involve Oxycodone.

Medical evidence was provided, stating Wendt had a long history of pain management for chronic back pain and spine and joint degeneration.

Judge Horneman-Wren said that three of the charges related to preparatory acts, and two others were offers to supply.

The offending happened after a marriage breakdown and she was otherwise of good character.

He warned Wendt that being prescribed dangerous drugs was a privilege not to be abused.

Wendt was sentenced to nine months' jail on each offence which were immediately suspended for two years.