Kelly Newton: Pakenham drug-dealing mum hid cannabis under her bed
When this Pakenham mum — who says she started using dope and ice at 14 — told police what was hidden under her bed, she was supposed to be clean. But her lawyer claimed the stash was to self-medicate.
South East
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A sleep-deprived mum who had already been given a good behaviour bond for trafficking cannabis was later found with a stash of the smoking stuff hidden under her bed.
Kelly Newton was meant to be clean but instead was caught with bags of green when police raided her Pakenham property in July.
The mother of two pleaded guilty at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, November 12, to drug possession, bond breach and failing to assist police.
The court heard police went to Newton’s home about 7am on July 16 this year with a drug search warrant.
When Newton answered the door she was asked if she had anything in the house.
She was honest with them and said she had “some cannabis under the bed”.
Officers found three large sealed bags of marijuana pushed under the divan in her bedroom.
They then asked for her pass number to her mobile, but she refused to give it to them, despite repeatedly being told it was a crime not to hand over a PIN.
Police wanted to access her phone to see if they could prove whether or not she was selling the gear.
Her defence lawyer told the court Newton was using cannabis to help her relax and sleep and to self-medicate her anxiety.
She said she started using dope and ice recreationally at the age of 14, but then became addicted to both.
She said Newton hadn’t smoked meth for the past two years, and since this incident had also quit using cannabis.
Magistrate Andrew Halse said due to the previous trafficking and now this offending, Newton was well and truly “on the police radar”.
He said it was the second time she had been caught, and hopefully her last.
“You breached a bond in relation to having cannabis again,” Mr Halse said.
“It is quite clear you have had (in the past), but it is unclear if you still have, problems with marijuana.
“You need to seek GP advice regarding long-term cannabis use.”
Newton was convicted, placed on another 12-month good behaviour bond, ordered to pay $250 to the court fund and continue her medical treatment.
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