Ashleigh Gillon: Victoria Point woman guilty of ice trafficking

A southeast Queensland woman who helped her partner allegedly run a wholesale meth empire was led down the garden path, her lawyers say, yet she still wants to get back with him.

A Supreme Court justice has expressed his disbelief at a Redlands woman who pleaded guilty to helping her partner allegedly traffic an extraordinary amount of methamphetamine wanting to reunite with him after he is sentenced.

Victoria Point woman Ashleigh Louise Gillon, 34, and her partner Bradley David Thompson, 46, of Nambour, were both charged with trafficking in methamphetamine following a search warrant executed on May 21, 2019.

Gillon was also charged with possessing a Category R electric antipersonnel device, while Mr Thompson was charged with possessing a commercial quantity of methamphetamine and possessing property obtained from trafficking.

Gillon was sentenced in Brisbane Supreme Court on Tuesday for the two charges.

The court heard Gillon allegedly helped Mr Thompson in his “substantial (trafficking) operation” over a period of eight weeks between March 24 – May 21, 2019.

She assisted by “answering the phone, advising customers whether (ice) was available, confirmed with them whether it was a suitable time to visit,” and she was also involved in several alleged sales.

Victoria Point woman Ashleigh Louise Gillon, 33, pictured leaving the Supreme Court, Brisbane 25th of May 2021. (Image/Josh Woning)

The court heard Gillon had knowledge of where Mr Thompson’s alleged stash of drugs was, but only had “limited knowledge” of quantities and prices, and required “explicit instructions”.

When the search warrant was executed on the Victoria Point home they shared, Gillon and Mr Thompson were “heavily” under the influence of drugs and spent the night in the Cleveland Watchhouse.

The court heard Mr Thompson allegedly trafficked ice for five-and-a-half months between January 21 – May 21, 2019.

Gillon allegedly became involved at his behest.

Mr Thompson was due to be sentenced today alongside Gillon but was unable to proceed due to medical issues.

Defence counsel Simone Bain told the court her client, who had no prior criminal history, was at a “place in her life where she finally feels in control”.

“She’s been clean for a year-and-a-half, she’s been attending Narcotics Anonymous and she has moved away from that group they (Gillon and Mr Thompson) were involved with together,” Ms Bain said.

However, Justice Martin Burns was left shaking his head in disbelief at what came next.

Ms Bain told the court it was “anticipated” the relationship would resume after Mr Thompson’s sentence – for the past two years, the pair have been ordered not to have any contact.

Justice Burns was delicate in addressing the issue during his sentencing remarks.

“He is the father of your two children – you are in a difficult position,” he conceded.

“You’ll need to ensure if you do reform a relationship you remain drug-free.

“If you do not, you will be coming to court again, of that I am sure.”

Gillon was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment with immediate court-ordered parole.

Mr Thompson’s charges will next be mentioned on June 18.