Tahlia Jones: Sydney beautician sentenced for double drug driving

A beautician in Sydney’s eastern suburbs has learned her fate for two drug-driving charges, as well as driving while disqualified. Here’s what the magistrate had to say.

A beautician in Sydney’s eastern suburbs has been busted driving with drugs in her system twice, as well as driving while disqualified.

Tahlia Ann Jones, 31, was pulled over for random breath resting on March 1 and returned a positive drug test to cocaine and ice, Downing Centre Local Court heard.

She was also found to be driving with a suspended licence.

The waterloo resident, who works in part-time cosmetics across the eastern suburbs, was again pulled over for police on April 17, this time for speeding.

On that occasion, she returned a positive result for cocaine.

Magistrate Gareth Christofi said Jones’ references show the behaviour was “completely out of character”.

Beautician Tahlia Ann Jones leaves Downing Centre Local Court.

“The psychological report suggests Ms Jones may have been undergoing mental health difficulties at the time and drug use was a reflection of that,” Magistrate Christofi said.

“In any case, her traffic record doesn’t assist her.”

Magistrate Christofi said Jones had completed a traffic offenders program and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

Her lawyer told the court the crimes were a big wake up call.

He said his client went through issues last year and a self-medicating pattern emerged, but she has been seeing a counsellor.

Magistrate Christophi convicted Jones of two counts of driving with an illicit drug present in the blood and driving a motor vehicle while her licence was suspended.

For each offence, he fined her $500 and disqualified her licence for six months, noting she had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.