Katrina Palanite: Wodonga mum pleads guilty to drug trafficking after Bandiana police find
A Wodonga mum caught dealing drugs after being pulled over by police has avoided further time behind bars despite her “very serious offending”. Find out how.
Albury Wodonga
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A Wodonga mother has escaped further jail time after being caught trafficking drugs from her car.
Katrina Palanite was pulled over by police at Bandiana, where officers found a trafficable amount of methamphetamine and cannabis, equipment used for drug trafficking — including scales, cash, and a controlled weapon — on September 8.
The 31-year-old pleaded guilty at the Wodonga Magistrates’ Court to trafficking prohibited drugs, possessing a controlled weapon, driving while disqualified, and dealing with the proceeds of crime to the sum of $21,970.
In his sentencing Magistrate Ian Watkins said while the offending was very serious, he would take into account Palanite’s plea of guilty and her significant mental health issues outlined in the psychologist’s report.
“In the report it said it is likely Ms Palanite would have exerted more control over her behaviour had she not been struggling with ill mental health where she had been self medicating with methamphetamine,” Mr Watkins said.
He said Palanite had been diagnosed with PTSD because of traumatic events from her childhood.
“I don’t intend to dwell on the precise circumstances of that trauma, but safe to say they were experiences no young girl should ever have to experience. That clearly has a significant impact on you,” Mr Watkins said.
“That has only been aggravated by your subsequent exposure to severe family violence in several relationships.
“I concur with the findings of the psychologist that your offending was due to your drug use and your drug use was used to mask the pain you endured previously.”
Mr Watkins said Palanite had good prospects of rehabilitation, supportive parents and a good relationship with her children.
He sentenced Palanite to an aggregated term of 51 days imprisonment which had already been served, and a 12-month community corrections order where she must undergo treatment for drug abuse and mental health, as well as participate in offending behaviour programs.
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