Claire West and Jesse Osborne sentenced in court for possessing dangerous drugs

Police intercepted a vehicle that was parked askew on a Rockhampton street after they saw the driver adjust his cap and lower his head in an attempt to conceal his face. Here’s what happened to him and his female passenger.

Two drug users were caught hiding marijuana and methamphetamine in their underwear during a police search, a court has heard.

Claire Elizabeth West, 21, and Jesse James Paul Osborne, 23, pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on March 3 to one count of possessing dangerous drugs.

Police prosecutor Stacey Bain said police did a U-turn and intercepted a vehicle that was parked askew on South Street, Depot Hill, near Quay Lane on February 13 about 3.30pm after they saw the driver adjust his cap and lower his head in an attempt to conceal his face.

Ms Bain said the driver, Osborne, passenger, West, and the vehicle were detained for a search in relation to dangerous drugs.

Claire Elizabeth West, 21, appeared in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on March 3, 2022.

She said West handed police a clip seal bag containing 4.9g of marijuana that was in her bra.

Ms Bain said police searched Osborne and found a clip seal bag containing 0.2g of meth in his underwear.

She said Osborne told police he smoked the drug with a pipe to self medicate.

Defence lawyer Samantha Legrady said West was attending Lives Lived Well, an addiction treatment centre in Rockhampton.

Jesse James Paul Osborne, 23, appeared in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on March 3, 2022.

Ms Legrady said Osborne, who worked as a butcher at Woolworths in Gracemere and was on parole, was receiving counselling and assistance from Rockhampton Alcohol and Other Drugs Services.

She said her client suffered from ADHD and that was why he was using the drug.

“However, he does realise now is the time to gain the right support to assist him,” she said.

West was placed on a good behaviour bond for four months with a $500 recognisance and drug diversion. No criminal conviction was recorded.

Osborne was placed on probation for eight months with a criminal conviction recorded.