Judith Lynette Whitecross, 52, pleaded guilty in Warwick Magistrates Court to supplying a smoking product to a child

A Warwick grandmother who thought a teenager was over the age of 18 has been fined for selling the boy a flavoured vape.

Warwick grandmother Judith Lynette Whitecross pleaded guilty to selling a smoking product to a child in Warwick Magistrates Court on April 28.

A service station employee has learnt the hard way of the importance of checking customer’s ID before selling them smoking products.

Judith Lynette Whitecross pleaded guilty to supplying a smoking product to a child in Warwick Magistrates Court on April 28.

The court was told a complaint was made to Queensland Health about the incident which occurred on the evening of March 25, 2024.

Queensland Health acting principal solicitor Alexandra Gordon told the court Whitecross was liable for selling the flavoured vape to the teenager as her employer had previously provided prevention methods.

Ms Gordon said the prevention method included informing Whitecross of not supplying smoking products to children under the age of 18.

The court was told Queensland Health had seen an uprise in the selling of vapes to children under 18, which highlighted the need for general deterrence for this type of offending.

Ms Gordon submitted to the court that Whitecross be fined up to $350.

Defence solicitor Charmaine Malam of ATSILS told the court the 52-year-old grandmother had spoken with the teenager on numerous occasions about work and other things and hadn’t considered he was underage.

Ms Malam said her client has a good work history and has faced a stressful period having had the matter hanging over her head since 2024.

Magistrate Janice Crawford took into consideration Whitecross’s early plea of guilty and her assistance with the Queensland Health investigation, fining her $100.

No Conviction was recorded.