Alia Marie Levinge pleads guilty to drug driving

A recovering addict was busted driving with two kinds of illegal drugs in her system, but a court has been told she’s turning her life around.

Alia Marie Levinge, 38, pleaded guilty to drug driving when she faced Maryborough Magistrates Court on Monday.

A woman has lost her licence for six months after being busted behind the wheel with marijuana and meth in her system.

Alia Marie Levinge, 38, pleaded guilty to drug driving when she faced Maryborough Magistrates Court on Monday.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Rob Booth said on June 20, police were carrying out patrols on Thompson Rd in Childers.

Levinge, who appeared in court via phone, was stopped by police and returned a positive reading for a relevant drug.

She told the officers she had smoked marijuana and meth the day before.

A further analysis confirmed the presence of both drugs in her system.

NAPLAN: Fraser Coast’s best and worst performing schools of 2023

Defence lawyer Mark Riedel said Levinge had moved from Childers to the Fraser Coast recently.

She had previously been “caught up in the drug scene” in Childers, he said.

“She found it impossible to avoid the use of drugs with the peers she had in that area,” Mr Riedel said.

Mr Riedel said Levinge had now been clean of drugs for four months.

“That has been assisted in her relocating to the Takura area,” he said.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Rob Booth said on June 20, police were carrying out patrols on Thompson Rd in Childers.

“She does not have peer influences constantly pestering her to use drugs and so on and so forth.”

Levinge has previously worked in supermarkets, kitchens and other roles, Mr Riedel said.

She had recently reconciled with her partner, who had also faced addiction challenges, he said.

“They’d been separated for some six years after having been together for some 13 years,” he said.

“She instructs me he’s also abstained from drugs for the past four months, is gainfully employed and was awarded employee of the year at the business that he’s working at.”

House ruined in blaze a week from Christmas

Mr Riedel said she had taken significant steps to change her life, particularly with relocating.

He said her health was also an issue as Levinge suffered from anxiety and had a hernia.

Magistrate John Milburn said it appeared Levinge was taking positive and proactive steps towards removing herself from a cycle of offending by relocating.

Levinge was fined $800 and was disqualified from driving for six months.

Convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Alia Marie Levinge pleads guilty to drug driving