Ipswich businesswoman Sharon Thoms jailed for dealing meth to fund addiction

An Ipswich businesswoman has broken down in tears after being told she would be jailed for dealing drugs to fund an expensive meth addiction.

An Ipswich mother with an extensive drug rap sheet broke down in tears in court after she was sentenced to jail for dealing methamphetamine.

Small business owner Sharon Maree Thoms, 55, interrupted court proceedings in dismay when she was sentenced to four months behind bars.

“My mum has cancer, I have to be there for her… she’s nearly 84-years-old and she lost my dad to cancer not long ago… I need to drive her to appointments,” she said.

“Please say something,” she pleaded with her legal counsel.

Crown prosecutor Stewart said despite having 54 prior drug convictions and a 12-page criminal history, Thoms’ had been afforded the benefit of community based orders in the past.

Ms Stewart said the mother’s most recent crimes came to light while police were investigating Thoms’ dealer.

The court heard Thoms was buying between 1.75 and 3.5g of methamphetamine a day to fund her daily addiction of 0.5g a day.

Ipswich Courthouse.

The court heard the 55-year-old started using heroin in her 20s and struggled on and off with sobriety for most of her life.

Barrister Cecelia Bernardin said Thoms was working towards recovery and started her own online jewellery business in 2021, although in the past she had worked in sales and marketing.

Judge Dennis Lynch QC told Thoms it would be wrong in principle to allow her hardships to get in the way of an appropriate penalty.

At Ipswich District Court on Thursday, February 17, Thoms pleaded guilty to nine charges of supplying a drugs and was sentenced to 18 months jail.

Thoms will be released on parole on June 16, 2022.