Mikayla Fernley: Miranda teen charged with drug possession

A dental nurse who had shared cocaine with mates made a desperate attempt to avoid detection by drug dogs when they arrived at her local beer garden.

A dental nurse was caught red handed flinging a bag of coke over a beer garden fence when police arrived at the pub with a drug dog.

Miranda woman Mikayla Fernley, 18, was at the Miranda Hotel with friends on January 28 when police entered to search the premises.

Police witnessed Fernley placing her arm over a fence and dropping an item into a bush.

Police then searched the teen, who admitted to sharing cocaine with her friends before getting rid of the bag when police arrived.

Mikayla Fernley.

Fernley pleaded guilty to the charge of prohibited drug possession in the less than small quantity of 0.08g.

Magistrate Philip Stewart questioned why Fernley, as someone who works in the health industry, would take the risk of using cocaine.

“You have no idea who made the cocaine and therefore no idea what is in it, no idea if it’s carcinogenic,” Mr Stewart said.

“You value your health and work in the health industry, yet you are prepared to put a substance in your mouth or nose not knowing whether it is going to make you psychotic.”

Fernley admitted to the court that it was a foolish decision made in the moment.

“It’s not something I saw myself doing, and not something I would do again,” she said.

Fernley received a nine-month conditional release order, with no conviction recorded, with Mr Stewart noting her gainful employment and good character.

Mr Stewart warned Fernley; “if you get a criminal record, it can really have an impact on your life”.