Anita Louise De Knock sentenced in Townsville Magistrates Court for drug possession and $100k in tainted cash
A woman with a criminal history dating back to 1999, has fronted court again after police found her with $100,000 cash. But a surprise after her arrest made her want to change her ways.
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A woman who discovered she was pregnant in jail after police found over $100,000 in cash at her home, has vowed to turn her life around for her unborn child.
Anita Louise De Knock appeared in Townsville Magistrates Court on Monday after a police raid found large amounts of cash, altered car registration plates and large amounts of drugs at her home.
The court heard in April 2025, police were able to locate 235 grams of cannabis, 2.9 grams of methamphetamine, a variety of rifle and shotgun ammunition and $101,225 in cash at the Eaton property.
De Knock was on parole for previous drug offences prior to her arrest.
Defence lawyer, Michael Hibble instructed by Salt Legal, said despite De Knock’s lengthy criminal history she had decided to turn a new leaf after she found out she was pregnant with her third child.
“When she was remanded in custody … she found out she was pregnant and she was able to find out it’s a girl,” Mr Hibble said.
“She wants an opportunity to go in a different direction with her life, because her life has just been a merry-go-round in relation to drug use.”
Mr Hibble sought to have De Knock be released from custody before her due date in October.
Magistrate Cathy McLennan said De Knock’s criminal history, which dated back to 1999, was alarming.
“The drug offences start in 2008, you’ve been fined, given probation, given community service, given suspended sentences, given imprisonment for drug offences,” she said.
She pointed out De Knock had spent time behind bars for drug related offences nearly every year since 2014.
“You’ve got quite a serious history here for dishonesty, for weapons and for drugs and drug supplies,” Magistrate McLennan said.
She told the court she would impose an earlier release date on the sentence so De Knock could be released before her due date.
De Knock was sentenced to 12 months jail with a parole release date of August 23, 2025.
Nine days spent in pre-sentence custody was declared as time served.
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Originally published as Anita Louise De Knock sentenced in Townsville Magistrates Court for drug possession and $100k in tainted cash
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