‘Really tragic’: Baby appears before district court judge as mother Jorgia Morgan Rook pleads guilty
A baby has appeared before a judge, occupying the dock with his mother while the former socialite pleaded guilty to supplying and possessing meth.
Townsville
Don't miss out on the headlines from Townsville. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A judge visiting Townsville to assist with the courthouse’s workload has paused her sentencing to note the “very sad sight” before her.
Jorgia Morgan Rook, 30, appeared before the court clutching her infant son as she pleaded guilty to supplying and possessing methamphetamines, possessing cannabis, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of items used in commission of supplying a dangerous drug.
The former Hinchinbrook socialite had travelled from her new home on the Sunshine Coast to attend court, and had no one to care for her child for her, so she held him throughout her court appearance.
Rook appeared in four inch high heels and a short black dress - her baby appeared in a white t-shirt and blue cartoon dinosaur overalls.
Judge Jennifer Rosengren said it was “really tragic” to see a young mother in the docks with her baby.
“Luckily, he doesn’t know what you’re doing here,” Judge Rosengren said of the baby.
“But if you don’t stop this, he’s going to know at some point... you commit another offence of supplying a dangerous drug and you will go straight to jail.”
The mother broke down in tears as she was being sentenced.
The court heard Rook was stopped for an RBT in Townsville on September 15, 2022.
After returning a negative breath test, cops developed a “suspicion” drugs were in her car and searched it, finding clip-seal bags containing two grams of cannabis and 0.1 grams of meth in her handbag alongside a knife and two mobile phones.
Downloads of the phones revealed she’d supplied methamphetamines on five occasions over Facebook Messenger.
Also found in the car were digital scales, unused clip-seal bags, straws and glass pipes.
The court heard Rook has a long history with drug use, and has already been fined, sentenced to community-based orders, put on probation and enrolled in drug courses by courts.
A thick booklet of drug screens and certificates for drug and childcare courses was handed up by Rook’s defence barrister Darin Honchin.
“She’s had a very difficult life and she’s trying to make amends,” Mr Honchin said.
“Given that it was only two points (of methamphetamine) I would ask for immediate parole release.”
The court heard that throughout her life Rook has suffered from ADHD, childhood trauma, bullying, abusive relationships, eating disorders, kleptomania and more.
The Crown prosecutor asked the judge to not place too much weight on “hearsay” diagnoses made by people “not qualified to do so”.
Rook is currently undertaking study to become a support worker.
Judge Rosengren sentenced Rook to six months imprisonment, paroled immediately, which means she will not be transported to prison but will be living on a hair-trigger for the next 18 months where one arrest would see her imprisoned to serve the entire six month term.
Originally published as ‘Really tragic’: Baby appears before district court judge as mother Jorgia Morgan Rook pleads guilty
Sip on summer as popular cocktail bar drops new menu
After months of perfecting the new signature menu, the owner of a bar tucked away on Gregory Street has decided to drop four new cocktails every week for a month. See what's on offer.
Senator speaks on working with Crisafulli government, expansion of ranger program
Senator Nita Green announced the Albanese Government would invest $355 million for 1000 new jobs in the Indigenous Rangers program and spoke on working with new LNP state government.