Logan mum Kirstyn Neale on probation for drug driving

A Logan mum has narrowly escaped jail time after being caught driving with meth and cannabis in her system, a court has heard.

A Logan mum has narrowly escaped jail time after being caught driving with meth and cannabis in her system, a court has heard.

Kirstyn Neale, 29, of Chambers Flat, pleaded guilty to drug driving, driving without a licence and failing to appear at court.

Beaudesert Magistrates Court heard on Tuesday that Neale was supposed to have shown up for sentencing on May 18 but was a no-show.

Police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Andrew Bjerring said police pulled over Neale while she was driving at Yarrabilba on July 12 last year.

She handed over a licence, but checks showed it had expired in October, 2019.

Kirstyn Neale.

Breath and saliva tests methylamphetamine and cannabis in her system.

The court heard Neale had a chequered driving history, facing Beenleigh Magistrates Court in July, 2019 for breaching probation. She received a suspended sentence for that offence.

The previous year she was given probation for drug driving.

She also had faced court for other drug and stealing charges and owed nearly $7000 in court-ordered fines.

Neale, who defended herself, said she was going through a tough time when caught at Yarrabilba.

“I’ve been through some domestic violence,” she said.

“I’ve just been focusing on my kids and trying to keep them safe and keep myself safe.”

Magistrate Tracy Mossop said breaching probation for drug driving, and then drug driving again while on a suspended sentence, were very poor decisions.

She said she hoped Neale had now stopped using drugs “because that’s not keeping anyone safe”.

“Maybe part of your problem is making some poor choices,” Ms Mossop said.

Ms Mossop sentenced Neale to six months’ probation, saying she had narrowly escaped a jail cell.

“You need to comply with this order,” she warned.

“Otherwise, it’s a sentence of imprisonment.

“I probably should have been looking at a sentence of imprisonment for you.

“So you’re on notice. If you don’t comply with this probation order you are going to receive a term of imprisonment. You’ve reached the end of the line.”

Ms Mossop also disqualified Neale from driving for six months. Convictions were recorded.