Rachael Cole convicted after buying cocaine for friend

A Sydney woman’s decision to buy cocaine for a friend has resulted in a criminal record after she was caught in the act by police. A magistrate has previously warned even minor drug offences can change the course of offenders’ lives.

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A Sydney woman’s decision to buy cocaine for a friend has resulted in a criminal record after she was caught in the act by police.

Rachael Cole, 26, was caught with 0.44g of cocaine after police saw her do the deed near Northies in Cronulla on June 21.

“Police were performing proactive patrols in relation to drug and alcohol crime in the Cronulla area,” agreed police facts said.

“Police observed the accused and one of two males exchange something for what appeared to be a folded bank note.”

Rachael Cole's decision to buy cocaine for a friend has resulted in a permanent criminal record.

Cole then made her way back towards Northies when she was stopped by police.

When questioned Cole confessed she had cocaine in her purse, which she said she had bought for a friend.

The Caringbah woman pleaded guilty to prohibited drug possession at Sutherland Local Court on Thursday, where Magistrate Peter Bugden imposed a $500 fine and a criminal conviction.

“It says here you were on the corner of Elouera Rd and Mitchell Rd, isn’t that one of the most busy spots in Cronulla?” Mr Bugden asked.

“The money changed hands and you came into possession of cocaine — why would you want to go out in the public glare of everyone, of police and other people and do this?”

Cole was also fined $500 for the cocaine possession.

Cole said her behaviour was completely out of character.

“I’m disappointed in myself, I’m embarrassed. I’m from a family that raised me better than this,” Cole told the court.

Mr Bugden has previously warned defendants at Sutherland Local Court about the potential consequences of drug-related offences which result in criminal convictions.

Cronulla teen Jack Rogers, 18, pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine after a drug dog busted him on his birthday at Gymea Hotel. Picture: Eliza Barr

On May 2 Mr Bugden sentenced Cronulla man Jack Rogers, 18, to a conditional release order without conviction after he was caught with a $250 bag of cocaine at Gymea Hotel, where he was celebrating his birthday earlier this year.

Rogers had attempted to dispose of the bag after seeing Police Dog Buster enter the pub.

“With a drug conviction you can’t travel to the United States, you can’t travel to Japan,” Mr Bugden told Rogers at the time.

“The legislation works 365 days a year — you don’t get a day off for your birthday.”

Shannon Noll at Sutherland Local Court. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)

In October 2018 Australian singer Shannon Noll also narrowly escaped a conviction from Magistrate Glenn Walsh for possessing 0.53g of cocaine at Caringbah Hotel.

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