Katherine Lee French pleads guilty to driving with drugs, suspended licence

A mother-of-five has told the court she was unaware her licence had been suspended after police caught her driving with methamphetamines in her system.

A Murgon mother claims she was unaware of her illegal license while driving with dangerous drugs in her system, as police testing revealed.

A South Burnett mother who was caught driving with methamphetamine in her system without a licence, claimed she was “unaware” of her illegal activity.

Katherine Lee French appeared before the Murgon Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The mother-of-five pleaded guilty to driving while a relevant drug was in her saliva while holding a probationary licence and to driving when a licence has been suspended.

The 38-year-old was stopped by police on April 22, 2023 at 10.12am driving, when her licence had been suspended by a court order, on Stephens Street, Murgon.

Police prosecutor Barry Stevens said police required her to undergo a breath and saliva test.

Mum of five sold meth to clients, had her own ‘drug runner’

“The defendant admitted to recent meth use,” Sergeant Stevens said.

“In relation to her suspended licence she said she had recently moved and hadn’t updated her details.

“Police analysis showed methamphetamines,” he said.

French, who represented herself, said she has been on her “best behaviour” since the incident and at the time had been going through a difficult time.

“I was unaware,” French said.

French’s licence was suspended for three months and she was ordered to pay a $500 fine.

Convictions were recorded.