Hornsby: Kate Westrip sentenced for supplying meth, MDMA, cannabis

A young nurse became a meth and MDMA dealer in the North Shore as a way of dealing with trauma. See the latest from court.

Kate Westrip outside Hornsby Local Court.

A young nurse from Sydney’s Upper North Shore resorted to selling and using hard drugs as a way of “coping with trauma”.

Kate Westrip, 21, pleaded guilty to supplying a prohibited drug (more than indictable quantity), four counts of supplying a prohibited drug (more than small quantity), three counts of possessing a prohibited drug, possessing a prohibited weapon without permit and possessing a prescribed restricted substance.

The North Wahroonga woman faced Hornsby Local Court on May 31 seeking to have the charges dismissed and dealt with under mental health legislation, however the application was unsuccessful.

Facts state Westrip was pulled over by police in Mount Colah at about 2am on September 9 last year.

Westrip’s car smelt strongly of cannabis and police seized 294.8 grams, according to facts.

Police also found a “butterfly knife” – and Westrip told police, “I was supposed to take that out”.

Example of a butterfly knife. Picture: supplied

Westrip was taken in and it was revealed she had sold a gram of MDMA for $200 after police seized her phone for investigation.

A North Rocks residence was searched a month later with a drug dog, and 13.2 grams of meth was found in a bedroom, as well as four tablets of quetiapine (seroquel) and diazepam.

The court heard Westrip had supplied at least 3.7 grams of meth in the community as well as cannabis.

Defence lawyer Ms Stoddart said Westrip understood the harm posed to the community by selling meth and despite difficult personal circumstances, recognised it was unjustified.

A police dog was used to uncover illicit drugs.

“She described herself as being totally unstable, financially, personally and mentally,” Ms Stoddart said.

The court heard Westrip’s decision making was compromised – “crushed under the weight of multiple mental health issues”.

“She was incapable of thinking rationally due to trauma,” Ms Stoddart said.

Dealing with her mental health through self medication, Ms Stoddart said Westrip was “just trying to survive 2022”.

The court heard Westrip was employed as a nurse and was of good character, with no prior criminal history.

Methamphetamine was found when police searched a North Rocks home.

“The offending wasn‘t over a significant period and she has a good prospect of rehab – she is deeply ashamed and remorseful,” Ms Stoddart said.

Prosecutor Sergeant Denise Vavayis said drug supply endangered the community as large, having a “ripple effect” on society.

“The expectation is strong that supply drug offences are punished,” Sgt Vavayis said.

Magistrate Alexander Mijovich considered Westrip’s age and underlying mental health issues, but said she had been warned in a previous court matter to address her substance abuse issues.

“The court will always support someone who addresses issues,” Mr Mijovich said.

Mr Mijovich said a previous magistrate said Westrip “had to be motivated to get better”.

The court heard Westrip recognised the ramifications of actions on her career and had volunteered herself in the Merit rehab program and remained abstinent for two months.

Mr Mijovich sentenced Westrip to a two year community corrections order.