Kerry-Ann Wightman faces Yeppoon court on drugs charges

What police found when they raided a Yeppoon horticulturist’s home has been revealed, as well as her reason for engaging in illegal drug activity.

Kerry-Ann Wightman faced Yeppoon Magistrates Court on February 8.

A woman who has spent most of her life working as a horticulturist has been busted in a police drug raid.

Kerry-Ann Wightman, 63, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court on February 8 to charges including producing and possessing dangerous drugs.

The court heard that police executed a search warrant at Wightman’s John Street residence at Yeppoon where they found three cannabis plants about 40cm tall in the backyard.

Officers also found a smaller cannabis plant there, about 5cm tall.

Inside the residence, police found 40.7g of dried cannabis in glass jars, as well as cannabis oil and drug utensils.

Kerry-Ann Wightman.

Wightman told police the cannabis was for personal use and that was accepted by the prosecution in court.

The court heard that Wightman had a one-page criminal history which included previous drug offending that was very dated.

Solicitor Krissy Cummins said Wightman was currently working part-time and also receiving a part-pension.

Ms Cummins said Wightman had spent most of her working life as a horticulturist and she had two degenerated disks in her neck, as well as arm and shoulder issues.

“So she has fallen into the trap of growing the cannabis for her use to relieve pain,” Ms Cummins said.

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale fined Wightman $500 and no conviction was recorded.