Danni Maree Brownlow pleaded guilty in Mackay court to 23rd drug-related offence

A Mackay mother of two facing her 23rd drug-related charge admitted to taking an illicit substance the day before she appeared in court. Find out what happened here.

Faced with the prospect of a prison sentence and separation from her kids, Danni Maree Brownlow’s continuing drug saga moved into its latest iteration.

Brownlow’s history of illicit substance use left her at the mercy of an unrelenting magistrate who “simply can’t understand” how the 29-year-old mother continued to rack up drug-related charges.

The mother of two was “firmly in jail country”, Magistrate Damien Dwyer warned.

Mr Dwyer said he could not believe Brownlow was back in the courtroom.

“This is her 22nd and 23rd time she has come before a court for a drug-related matter in less than three years,” he said.

“She’s had her opportunity as far as I’m concerned, I just simply can’t understand (how) someone can be on probation for 14 drug matters, comes back, takes drugs again and they don’t do anything about it.

Mum of two Danni Maree Brownlow pleaded guilty to possessing dangerous drugs.

“I’ve rallied against this for years, it’s ridiculous, it’s pointless.

“I wouldn’t have any difficulties at all in sending you to prison, 23 charges in less than three years is quite a clear indication that you’re not going to change.”

Defence lawyer Peter Clark said Brownlow’s drug use had begun to reduce in quantity.

“She has been totally free of methylamphetamines for four months,” he said.

“She is still taking cannabis on a daily basis but the quantity is significantly less, she’s working very hard to reduce that consumption.

“From age 14 she was using marijuana at school, she was introduced to it by her ex-partner.

“She has a chronic health condition, she suffers from a dislocated elbow she sustained as a five year old and she says the marijuana eases that pain.”

Police prosecutor Harry Coburn told Mackay Magistrates Court one of Brownlow’s children lived with the father, while the other was in her mother’s care.

On January 24, 2022, Brownlow pleaded guilty to possessing dangerous drugs, as well as possessing utensils used for consuming dangerous drugs.

Danni Maree Brownlow was fined $2500 for her offending in August 2021.

Those charges related to a third of a gram of marijuana she was found with on August 18, 2021.

The court heard Brownlow in April 2021 was convicted for 17 different drug offences, and was placed on 12 months probation that included conditions that she did not take drugs and must take part in counselling.

Mr Dwyer said he was not convinced an extension of the probation would be enough to curb Brownlow’s drug use.

“She’s still taking drugs and according to you she’s taken them yesterday,” he said.

“What would be the point of that (suspended sentence), knowing she takes cannabis every single day.

“I don’t take the word of somebody who is here for the 23rd time with a drug-related matter, no way in the world.

“Tell me why she shouldn’t go to prison?

“We’re just setting her up to fail, I may as well just send her to jail today, how is she going to get through an operational period?

“But in circumstances where I have any doubt in my decision, I always go with the benefit of the defendant.”

Brownlow was fined $2500 for possessing dangerous drugs and utensils.

A conviction was recorded.