Jessica Kendall fronts court over meth trafficking

A Melbourne mum serving a non-custodial sentence on drugs charges was busted trafficking ice during a covert police operation in the northern suburbs.

A Melbourne mum nabbed trafficking ice during a police sting while serving a community corrections order on drugs charges has again received a non-custodial sentence.

Jessica Lee Kendall, 29, was sentenced in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday to 56 days’ imprisonment but didn’t go to jail due to time already served in custody.

The Epping woman was ordered to perform 250 hours of community work after pleading guilty to five charges, including trafficking ice.

She was among six people arrested after police seized $100,000 worth of methamphetamine during a series of police raids on properties in Reservoir, Lalor and Epping in March 2024 following a seven-month police investigation

Jessica Kendall outside court. Picture: Oscar Jaeger

Her lawyer initially sought to argue the operation could have been “unlawful” and non-compliant with police procedure, and that certain evidence gathered from the undercover operation was inadmissible.

On Monday, the court heard Kendall decided to plead guilty and move on as she had established a home business, Diffusing Aromas, that was doing well.

She submitted an early guilty plea, good progress at rehabilitation and family support meant the court could consider a non-custodial sentence.

Kendall worked in office and management roles at a catholic school for 12 years but could not continue due to her criminal record.

Magistrate James Fitzgerald said it was regrettable Kendall got involved in serious drug offending while serving a CCO for similar charges.

It was clear from letters of support from her mother and Narcotics Anonymous, he said, that she had made serious efforts towards rehabilitation and added he hoped the court didn’t see her again.