Mum faces possible deportation after jail sentence

A mother of four faces the threat of being deported after being sentenced to 18 months imprisonment in Townsville.

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A MOTHER of four faces the threat of deportation to New Zealand after she was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment in Townsville on Friday.

Cheryl Anne Moana Heke, 42, pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court to one count of possessing a dangerous drug, in excess of 2 grams after a tube of meth fell out of her pants when police searched her car.

Crown legal officer Jessika Hockings said Heke was intercepted by police on December 31, 2019 and asked to conduct a roadside drug test.

Ms Hockings said that when Heke got out of her car a small plastic cylinder containing bags of meth fell out of her shorts.

Inside the bags was 4.095 grams of meth with a purity level between 65.6 to 75.8 per cent.

After initially denying knowledge of the meth, she later admitted to police she had purchased it that morning for $1800.

“She had intended to use it to break addiction to heroin,” Ms Hockings said.

She also returned a positive drug test.

The court heard Heke was “burdened” by a 14-page criminal history of like offending and faced the threat of being deported to her birth country New Zealand if sentenced to more than 12 months imprisonment.

Ms Hockings said Heke was arrested and taken into custody after failing to appear in court on February 25, 2020.

Heke’s barrister, Michael Hibble, said his client had a “significant drug problem” for most of her life.

“She was addicted to heroin and moved onto ice,” Mr Hibble said.

Mr Hibble said Heke had used her time in custody “productively” having completed a parenting course and obtaining a white card, allowing her involvement in the construction industry.

Justice David North said Heke had a “disturbing history of repeat drug offending” and sentenced her to 18 months imprisonment.

Pre-sentence custody of 444 days was declared and Heke was released on parole.

Originally published as Mum faces possible deportation after jail sentence