Tears as ex-model jailed over bust while on parole

A former model has been jailed for drugs charges while on parole for trafficking, a court has heard.

Mikaela Banditt

A former model has been jailed for possessing drugs including cocaine while on parole for trafficking, a court has heard.

Mikaela Jade Banditt was charged alongside her former partner Drew Gerard Roberts with one count of aggravated drug possession, three counts of possessing dangerous drugs and one count of possessing anything used in the commission of a drug offence.

Both pleaded guilty.

Mikaela Banditt with her co-accused Drew Roberts, who she is no longer in a relationship with.

Banditt, now 30, faced Brisbane’s Supreme Court where crown prosecutor Michelle Parfitt said the aggravated possession related to 14 grams of pure cocaine located in a Moggill home in November 2021. At the time Banditt was on parole for drug trafficking, she said.

The court heard Banditt had a longstanding issue with drug addiction and Ms Parfitt accepted some of the cocaine would have been for personal use however “some of it was also destined for sale for profit.”

“So there was a commercial element to it as well,” she said.

Banditt, who previously worked as a model, shed tears during the proceeding.

Justice Peter Davis found Banditt was drug addicted at the time and had entered a timely plea of guilty which showed remorse and co-operation.

Banditt’s barrister John Cook, instructed by NG” Rangihuna of Phillips Crawford Lawyers, tendered material indicating the defendant still had support of family and friends and had taken “extraordinary steps” to rehabilitate while in custody, he said.

Banditt was sentenced to two years prison with a parole release date of October 21.

Roberts, 32, was sentenced to two years with immediate parole last month.