Katherine Killey avoids conviction over cocaine possession in Bondi

A high-flying fashion and public relations guru, who made the mistake of buying cocaine in the middle of Bondi, has been left “scared” and “mortified” by the experience, a court heard.

A fashion and public relations guru has been labelled “an eastern suburbs stereotype” in court after she was busted buying cocaine on a Friday night in Bondi.

Vaucluse woman Katherine Killey, 40, faced Waverley Local Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to a single charge of posses prohibited drug.

Agreed facts tendered to the court state earlier this month on April 4, plain-clothed police were parked on Spring St in Bondi Junction around 10.30pm when they observed a Ford station wagon pull up outside an apartment complex.

Officers conducted checks on the car, which indicated “adverse information to drugs” with the vehicle also being registered “well out of the area”.

Moments later, Killey was observed entering the passenger seat before exiting 20 seconds later, an interaction which police recognised as “dial-a-dealer-behaviour”, agreed facts state.

Katherine Killey leaves Waverley Local Court.

Killey was then stopped by police, who activated body worn footage and asked if she had any drugs on her.

Police facts say a “clearly remorseful” Killey immediately handed over a small resealable bag containing 0.6g of cocaine.

Killey escaped a conviction.

On Tuesday, Killey’s solicitor asked the court to consider a non-conviction, citing her client’s positive character and lack of record.

“She accepts it was poor judgement and it’s a decision she doesn’t take lightly. Having been scared by this experience she won’t be here again,” she said.

The solicitor also said a conviction could seriously impact Killey’s career, particularly as her business had an office in New York City.

“While she’s not a young person she has the maturity to recognise the impact a conviction might have on her life,” she said.

Magistrate Stephen Barlow described Killey’s offending as “almost an eastern suburbs stereotype” remarking “getting caught with cocaine in Bondi is pretty prevalent”.

“A high achieving woman, you are involved in the fashion and PR world. You have an office in New York. People who are intelligent like you are and possess cocaine are making a calculated risk decision assuming you’re not going to get caught,” he said

“You should be aware the police just have eyes on everyone around here, you’re just a sitting duck.

“I’m not telling you to get your cocaine anywhere else but you have to decide what’s more important: your career, your reputation and the ability to travel to New York without having to be cross-examined, or is it cocaine.”

Mr Barlow accepted Killey was “no doubt mortified”, had no criminal record and was of good character.

The matter was dismissed without a conviction.