Hannah Christine Lovejoy’s ‘merciful’ jail sentence for importing drugs

A young Queensland mother, coerced by her partner into importing drugs, has received a “merciful” jail sentence.

A young Queensland mother who imported $75,000 worth of drugs and had $52,000 in crime proceeds, partly hidden in a washing machine, has been given a “merciful’’ jail sentence.

Justice Soraya Ryan recognised Hannah Christine Lovejoy was under the influence of a manipulative jailed partner who instructed her how to import drugs and smuggle drugs into prison.

Lovejoy, 27, pleaded guilty to importing commercial quantities of border controlled drugs, recklessly dealing in proceeds of crime of $50,000 or more and drug trafficking.

She also pleaded guilty to supplying drugs in a correctional facility, failing to provide access to electronic devices when ordered to do so and other drug-related offences.

Justice Ryan said she would treat Lovejoy in a merciful way, with a lenient sentence because of her tragic and abusive upbringing and the role of her coercive, violent partner in her crimes.

Hannah Christine Lovejoy. Picture: Supplied

The Supreme Court heard Lovejoy’s then partner, the father of her child, was returned to jail, after committing drug offences while on parole, in February, 2018.

On May 4, 2020, Australian Federal Police intercepted two packages addressed to Lovejoy, sent from China, containing a total of 30 litres of liquid drug gamma butyrolactone, known as GBL.

The total street value of the drugs was $75,000, the court heard.

The judge said Lovejoy obtained a contact for the GBL importation, she negotiated a price and purchased the drugs, which arrived in late April, 2020.

After Lovejoy’s Robina home was searched, $52,215 cash was found in a bedside table, inside a washing machine and above the machine, Commonwealth prosecutor Dominic Nguyen said.

Lovejoy refused to provide details for police to access her mobile phone or computer, even after a court order.

Mr Nguyen said while Lovejoy’s partner was in jail, cash deposits totalling $71,865 were deposited in her bank accounts, which were crime proceeds.

The $52,000 washing machine stash. Picture: Supplied

On another occasion steroids, GBL, cocaine and other drugs, with a total value of $11,600 to $11,830, were found at Lovejoy’s Robina home.

Police also found legal documents and stamps from six law firms which the judge said were to be used to help Lovejoy supply drugs into a jail.

Justice Ryan said Lovejoy and her partner had been trafficking drugs for two and a half months and he sent her instructions on how to access and price drugs, chase payments and supply drugs into jail.

She said there was one completed act of supply and five acts of preparing to supply drugs.

Lovejoy attempted to supply drugs, including cocaine and methylamphetamine, into Capricornia Correctional Centre, but packages were intercepted.

Justice Ryan said it was particularly serious that some of Lovejoy’s trafficking was designed to get drugs into prison.

She said the story of Lovejoy’s upbringing, including sexual abuse, was tragic.

“You fell into a terrible relationship with a controlling man, who was violent. He caused you to consume drugs in a greater variety and with increasing frequency,’’ Justice Ryan said.

“You were, because of everything you had been through as a child, desperate to please him … and desperate to keep a family together.’’

But the judge said since Lovejoy’s arrest she had turned her life around.

Lovejoy, who had no previous convictions, was sentenced to six years’ jail for drug importation, with parole eligibility after three years.

She was given lesser concurrent jail sentences for other offences, with one four-year jail term to be suspended after three years.