Thornlands mum breaks down during bail hearing charged with significant drug possession
A southeast Queensland magistrate has slammed a mother of four children who has been charged with supplying and trafficking dangerous drugs after allegedly being caught with more than 50 grams of cocaine.
Redlands Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Redlands Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A 31-year-old mother of four with no previous criminal history, alleged by police to have been found in possession of more than 50 grams of cocaine, 50 tabs of MDMA and thousands of dollars of drug money, has been granted bail.
OTHER COURT STORIES
Highly educated bodybuilder charged with supplying meth in Capalaba and Alexandra Hills
Redland Bay Olympian Chantelle Newbery faces court on string of drugs charges
Redland Bay man ‘absolutely petrifies’ homeowners demanding entry to their property
A solemn magistrate Deborah Vasta did not mince her words when addressing the Thornlands mother who, the court heard, would have been in danger of spending too much time in jail should she be kept in custody until a trial date some 12 months away.
Appearing at the Cleveland Magistrates Court yesterday Elona Marie Henderson was shown a video of all the young people who have recently died of drug overdoses.
“You are allegedly part of the machinery that is giving other parents’ kids drugs,” magistrate Vasta said to the teary defendant.
“You are allegedly in a lot of trouble. Drug dealers are just using you and will throw you under the bus.
“It may look glamorous but it is not a pretty scene.”
Looking forlorn dressed in a T-shirt and jeans the defendant was charged with a string of offences including seven counts of supplying dangerous drugs and multiple counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs.
The court heard Henderson owned a house with her husband and was alleged by police to have been found in possession of 54.5 grams of cocaine, 50 tabs and one gram of MDMA (ecstasy) and had accrued $5, 300 from drug sales.
A police prosecutor said due to the significant amount of drugs allegedly involved Henderson posed too great a risk to the community for release and “will most likely fall back into the same alleged behaviour.”
The court heard the amount of drugs was such that an argument for personal use held little water.
But defence solicitor Alina Somerville said her client would be at risk of spending too much time in custody should she be kept in remand.
Ms Somerville said the defendant had absolutely no criminal history and had prior to the start of the year never used drugs, before developing a cocaine habit.
Henderson was granted bail with weekly reporting duties and was left with a stern warning from magistrate Vasta.
“Police turned up with a police dog for a reason,” she said.
Henderson is scheduled to next appear for the matter on December 10.