Missy Kimberley Payne pleads guilty in Roma Magistrates Court to drug driving

A Roma woman who was stopped doing 130km/h in a 100km/h zone claimed that she had been spiked after returning a positive reading to meth in a roadside drug test.

A 29-year-old Roma woman has told a court she believed she was spiked before police caught her driving 30km/h over the speed limit.

Missy Kimberley Payne pleaded guilty in Roma Magistrates Court to driving while a relevant drug was present.

Police prosecutor Mathew Donnelly said on April 28 at 9.35am that police patrolling the Carnarvon Highway south of Roma intercepted Payne for doing 130km/h in a 100km/h zone.

“(Roma) Police intercepted a Toyota Rav in relation to another matter, I believe an infringement notice was issued for a speeding matter,” Mr Donnelly said.

“She submitted to a roadside breath test and drug test.

“She claimed to be the recipient of medicinal cannabis and when police asked if she had a lawful reason to be driving, she said she was wanting to get to Roma after issues with some local acquaintances.”

Thirty minutes later at 10.04am Payne provided another specimen of saliva which confirmed traces of methamphetamine and cannabis.

Defence lawyer Laurie Parker said his client, who was on the medicinal marijuana program, suffers from bipolar and schizophrenia and is “trying to get her mental health in order”.

“She doesn’t use meth your honour, she said someone must have put some in her drink,” Mr Parker said.

Acting magistrate Michael Bice noted that Payne has one previous drug drive conviction from 2021 where she was fined $350 and disqualified from driving for a month.

“Today that will increase,” the magistrate said.

“I take into account your submissions that you could have been drugged if the meth was involved… (if not) it would have been longer, maybe three (months).”

Payne was fined $350 referred to SPER and disqualified from driving for two months.

A conviction was recorded.