Jennifer Ann Murchie: Kingaroy woman sentenced for trafficking drugs

A Kingaroy mother who told police she began dealing drugs to ensure her son could use them for free has been sentenced for the offending. Here’s what happened:

A Kingaroy mother spent four months trafficking and dealing drugs in order to help supply her son with the illegal substance.

Jennifer Ann Murchie, 47, began dealing marijuana with the Burnett region in June 2020, before police caught up with her and laid charges in July 2021.

Crown prosecutor Samantha O’Rourke said Murchie made admissions to police that she had carried out most of her offending face-to-face in her home, but police had also identified 10 occasions of dealing via her phone.

Ms O’Rourke told the court Murchie gave police an unusual reason for turning to drug dealing.

“Her motivation was so that her son could smoke cannabis for free,” Ms O’Rourke said.

Jennifer Ann Murchie leaves Kingaroy Court on April 28, 2022, after being sentenced for drug trafficking. Picture: Dominic Elsome

Murchie also told investigators she’d made little money off her scheme.

Lawyer James Feely explained his client’s eldest son suffered from cancer as a baby and required chemotherapy before being diagnosed with autism.

He said the now 18-year-old was a “special needs” case and suffered “extreme anxiety”.

“One of the most effective ways to manage the symptoms was cannabis,” Mr Feely said.

Murchie pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking in the Kingaroy District Court on April 28, 2022.

Judge Gary Long SC impressed upon the mother the seriousness of the crimes she had committed.

“I see that you’ve gained an understanding of not just the foolishness, but the seriousness of what you involved yourself in,” he said.

Murchie was sentenced to 18 months’ jail, immediately suspended for three years.