Jessica Scott: Culburra Beach woman sentenced for drug supply, fraud

A woman busted selling methamphetamine around the south coast region was also found to have scammed Service NSW by more than $130,000, a court has heard.

Jessica Scott scammed Service NSW of $133,445.

A woman arrested and charged for selling methamphetamine around the south coast region was also busted scamming Service NSW of more than $100,000, using various pandemic and bushfire financial support grants she was not eligible for.

The litany of offences saw Jessica Scott, 36, appear in Nowra Local Court on Tuesday charged with supply prohibited drug, supply drug, possess prohibited drug, publish false misleading material to obtain financial advantage and dishonestly obtain financial advantage by means of deception.

The Culburra Beach woman previously pleaded not guilty to all charges, but was later found guilty during a hearing in April this year.

Documents tendered to the court reveal Scott was selling “no less than” 50g of methamphetamine around the Nowra region between the dates of July 26 and August 24 last year.

Police received information mid last year that the 36-year-old woman was actively selling the drugs in the area, resulting in an investigation.

Jessica Scott appeared in Nowra Local Court on Tuesday.

On August 24 last year, police attached to the South Coast Police District pulled Scott’s car over in South Nowra following suspicions she was selling drugs.

Agreed facts state upon searching her car, police located a clear bag of a crystal like substance in her glove box.

Jessica Scott was busted selling no more than 50g of methamphetamine.

Later analysis by police revealed the bag contained 40.6g of methamphetamine.

This discovery led police to search Scott’s phone, which displayed multiple text messages between her and people asking to purchase drugs, using slang words like “tods”.

However, this was not the only discovery made by police while searching Scott’s phone, uncovering 18 fraudulent applications to Service NSW on August 28 2020 and again on May 18 2022 for Covid-19 and bushfire relief financial grants – all of which she was ineligible for.

Agreed facts reveal Scott pocketed a total of $133,445 in state government grants.

As a result of the discovery, police charged her with the drug offences, along with obtaining financial advantage by means of deception.

Scott was initially placed in custody as a result, however bail was granted later the same month in the Nowra Local Court.

The Culburra Beach woman entered pleas of not guilty to all charges earlier this year, before her hearing took place in April.

It was during this hearing where she was found guilty, however the sentencing was adjourned to investigate whether Scott was suitable for at home detention.

In court on Tuesday, Scott’s lawyer Matthew Zappia informed the court the examinations were completed and his client was found suitable for home detention.

Magistrate Lisa Viney convicted Scott and sentenced her to an aggregate intensive corrections order of 18 months, 12 of which must be spent in her home.

The court heard Scott will not be allowed to leave her home for this time frame.

“This is still a jail sentence,” Ms Viney said.

Got a news tip? Email us at [e-mail].