Katelyn Edwards pleads guilty to unlawful use of motor vehicle, drug charges

A mum who caught police attention when she refused to return a hire car has been caught out with a cocktail of drugs, claiming some were ‘multivitamins’.

Katelyn Jade Edwards leaving Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday. Picture: Patrick Woods

A Sunshine Coast mother who did not return two hire cars has told police her drugs officers found during an unexpected raid at a hinterland home were actually “multivitamins”.

Katelyn Jade Edwards told officers this after they were able to track a rental vehicle she hired from a Marcoola rental car business on August 30 that she did not return, which was reported to police.

The Maroochydore Magistrates Court was told officers tracked the car to a Landsborough home on September 10 and after trying to raise someone at the door, they entered the home.

Police prosecutor Mel Pyke said they found Edwards in a bedroom with the keys close by and the stolen Toyota in the backyard.

The court was told a number of drugs were also found when they entered the home, which prompted them to conduct a search.

Edwards after her sentence. Picture: Patrick Woods

The police prosecutor said officers found three pills filled with MDMA inside a glasses case, along with 2g of meth, two diazepam tablets and a glass pipe.

Sergeant Pyke said the 28-year-old told police the pills were “multivitamins”.

The court heard 15ml of 1,4 butanediol, or “drink”, was also found in her handbag, which is commonly used as a substitute for GHB.

She told police she was unaware the rental car business contacted her for the hire car however a search of her phone said otherwise.

Sergeant Pyke said Edwards also failed to return another car she hired from a Noosa car rental business, which she borrowed on June 20. This was also found at a Landsborough property on August 28.

She pleaded guilty to all charges. Picture: Patrick Woods

The court was told Edwards then failed to give her details to a driver she rear-ended at a red light in the Brisbane suburb of Stones Corner on September 9.

Sergeant Pyke said she drove away from the other motorist after briefly speaking to the other driver.

Defence lawyer Luke Bull said Edwards returned the vehicles and paid the late fees for them, and was cooperative with police.

Mr Bull told the court she had been struggling with family life and relapsed into drugs however was clean once again, and had good prospects of rehabilitation.

He also put on the record Edwards’ reason for leaving the minor crash was due to her feeling “intimidated” by the other driver when they spoke.

Edwards pleaded guilty to eight charges including three counts of possessing drugs, two of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and failing to give her particulars after a crash.

Magistrate Chris Callaghan placed the Sunshine Coast woman on an 18-month probation order and fined her $250.

Convictions were recorded.