Lindsay Alexander Morrison and Kate Rademaker sentenced for Coffs Harbour cocaine dealing

Two well-known Coffs Harbour residents, one a charity volunteer, have been caught dealing cocaine in the community – and narrowly avoided a jail-term.

Kate Rademaker, 42, (pictured) and Lindsay Morrison, 43, worked together to sell cocaine in the Coffs Harbour area.

A pair of well-known Coffs Harbour parents, one a dedicated volunteer, have faced sentence and avoided time in prison after being caught dealing cocaine in the region.

Kate Rademaker, 42 and Lindsay Morrison, 43, worked together during their relationship to sell cocaine in the region, Coffs Harbour Local Court heard.

Morrison communicated with other dealers and Rademaker travelled to Sydney to pick up the drug on several occasions between September 2020 and April 2021.

Rademaker has strong ties to the community.

Rademaker picked up 56 grams from Sydney with an estimated street value of $16,800 on January 22, 2021, according to court documents.

On most occasions, Morrison arranged sales and Rademaker would deliver, the court heard on Friday.

The pair supplied at least 161g of cocaine in Coffs Harbour, valued at about $48,000.

Rademaker wanted to “please” Morrison, and the pair used cocaine during their relationship, which has since ended, the court heard.

Judge Jonathan Priestley said there was nothing sophisticated about the offending.

“Rademaker used her own phone number and bank account to carry out the dealings,” he said.

Rademaker was honest and cooperative with police when the couple’s home was searched on April 1, 2021.

Police seized $12,230 cash on a bed, 14.11g of cocaine and cutting equipment used for supply.

“They’re beyond low level street suppliers,” Judge Priestley said.

Rademaker outside the court.

The court heard Rademaker raised money for charities and worked in the community for several causes.

Judge Priestley said deterrence was a huge factor in sentencing, although the duo demonstrated altruistic values,

“What does it teach the local community to give a drug dealer a pat on the head?” he said.

Judge Priestley said Rademaker’s history of depression did not contribute to the offending.

“I don‘t see how her mental health holds her down given she has two jobs, raises two children alone and volunteers her time for charities,” he said.

The maximum sentence for the drug supply charges is 20 years, which Judge Priestley said was an indication of the severity of the offences.

“The sentences are that high to stop this kind of behaviour,” he said.

The court heard Morrison was motivated to better his life and had completed drug counselling.

The pair were selling drugs in the Coffs Harbour community.

Priestley said Rademaker’s work history was “commendable”.

He said Rademaker seemed to recognise the harm drugs wreak in communities and how illicit substances damages lives, admitting she was “part of that”.

Rademaker continued to volunteer her time after serving an intensive corrections order following sentencing for a drug matter in 2021.

“It speaks volumes about her good character when she’s not immersed in a drug environment,” Judge Priestley said.

He said Rademaker should be cautious about relapsing into drug use.

“She’s must be accountable for her actions but seems to be thoroughly on the way to rehab,” he said.

Judge Priestley said drug supply is “a scourge all too prevalent in the community”.

“No good comes from promoting drugs and the laws are set up to discourage them,” he said.

Judge Priestley said custody would not aid Rademaker’s reform due to potential exposure to anti-social behaviour in custody, while Morrison demonstrated remorse.

Judge Priestley did not sentence the pair to jail-time.

Rademaker pleaded guilty to three counts each of supplying a prohibited drug (more than indictable) and three supplying a prohibited drug (more than small), one count of supplying a prohibited drug (less than small), one count of dealing with the proceeds of crime and two counts of supplying a prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis.

Morrison pleaded guilty to four counts of supplying a prohibited drug (more than indictable), supplying prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, dealing with the proceeds of crime, one count of supplying prohibited drug (more than small) and two counts of supplying a prohibited drug (less than small). One count each of possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit and cultivating a prohibited plant were withdrawn.

Morrison was ordered to serve a three year intensive corrections order, while Rademaker was ordered to serve a two-and-a-half year intensive corrections order.