Melina Maree Hancock busted selling stolen gun

A café worker and mother with an ill newborn has fronted Ipswich court on drug and weapon charges.

A meth-fuelled crime spree in 2019 caught up with a Warwick mum-of-four, threatening to render her children homeless as she was facing jail time.

On September 27, Melina Maree Hancock was pulled over at Ellesmere, south of Kingaroy, and found to be in the possession of a stolen rifle.

The 33-year-old and two men planned to sell the dangerous weapon.

After the trio was pulled over by officers, one of the men attempted to flee – the court heard it was to Hancock’s credit that she stayed to talk with police.

Police prosecution told the court Hancock put the community at great risk as the gun could have fallen into the wrong hands.

Hancock’s legal counsel told the court the woman’s life had spiralled out of control and into methamphetamine after her mother committed suicide, although her life was since on track.

Hancock told her lawyer she was drug free, but no proof was given.

During court proceedings Hancock was highly agitated and continuously made movements with her jaw and mouth.

Although facing jail time, no arrangement of care was made for Hancock’s ill newborn who was temporarily with her boss, or her three other children.

Magistrate Kinsella expressed dismay and concern over what would happen to the children, and remanded Hancock in custody overnight to properly assess whether she would be jailed or not.

On Tuesday, December 14, Hancock pleaded guilty to supplying a dangerous weapon, possessing a drug pipe, unlawful possession of a rifle, contravening the direction of police, and failing to appear in order with undertaking.

The next morning Hancock was sentenced to 13 months imprisonment with an immediate release date.