Jacqueline Mary Colthorpe, 51, Macleay Island, sentenced for drug supplying, possession

A tightknit Moreton Bay island community has dealt out its own rough style of justice after a local woman was sentenced for drug dealing. A magistrate also made her stand up in court and tell visiting school children why they shouldn’t take drugs.

Jacqueline Mary Colthorpe pleaded guilty to drug supplying and possession.

A Macleay Island drug dealer sentenced for drug supplying had her car tyres let down and rocks thrown at her home after locals found out.

To make matters worse, a Cleveland magistrate made Jacqueline Mary Colthorpe stand up and address a group of visiting school children on the perils of drugs.

The court heard that after a police bust in November exposed the 51-year-old cleaner’s criminal activity locals decided to exact their own punishment.

Ms Colthorpe pleaded guilty to four counts of supplying dangerous drugs, one count of possessing dangerous drugs, one count of possessing anything used in the commission of crime and one count of possessing utensils that had been used.

The Police Prosecutor said a police search of her home on October 23 last year unearthed cannabis stashed in a cooler bag, on her coffee table and in kitchen cupboards.

“She told police the combined 223g was for personal use, but police noticed it was packaged into small weights consistent to how they usually find it (in the possession of drug suppliers),” they said.

“Police also found scales and a phone which, when unlocked and read, confirmed she was supplying.’’

The court heard Ms Colthorpe later confessed to police that she had supplied cannabis.

Ms Colthorpe’s lawyer said she had suffered a vigilante backlash after police shared body cam footage from her arrest on social media.

“She has been shunned by the community and has had tyres flattened and rocks thrown at her home,’’ she said.

“In the video posted to Facebook her home was clearly identifiable.

“She worked as a cleaner, ran her own business for 20 years and has had no entries to her criminal history for 10 years.’’

The court heard Ms Colthorpe suffered from health complications in recent years that affected mental health.

Magistrate Deborah Vasta said it was clear Ms Colthorpe had been “struggling with demons”.

“By supplying drugs you’re feeding into people’s addictions and not helping people address their issues,” Ms Vasta said.

“You’re not helping anyone, even though you might think you’re providing a service.’’

Ms Vasta, who noted her early guilty plea, told Ms Colthorpe to address a group of high school students sitting in the courtroom who were there for a legal studies course excursion.

“All of these students have the potential to get into drugs, particularly at this age,” Ms Vasta said.

“It’s easy for me to sit here and tell them not to get involved with drugs, so please tell them something you wish you had known at their age.

“Do me a favour and tell them how drugs have impacted your life.’’

Ms Colthorpe told the students using drugs was not worth it.

“I wish I had in stayed in school. Get your money by putting in the hard yards and set yourself up,” she said.

“Have something to fall back on and never be on the streets by yourself at night, have friends around to protect you.’’

She was ordered to serve 12 months’ probation. No convictions were recorded.