Melanie Bree Shearman sentenced for meth sales, $4k planned deal

A young Qld mining town mum who was dabbling in drug dealing and planning a large sale worth thousands of dollars has been warned continued meth use could cost her more than her freedom.

Melanie Bree Shearman faced Mackay Districts Court after she was busted supplying methamphetimine to a number of people. Photo: Fergus Gregg

A young mining town mum was selling methamphetamine and planning a $4000 drug deal when police swooped.

Melanie Bree Shearman, 23, appeared in Mackay District Court Tuesday.

The court heard she was 19 when she first offered to supply up to 1g of methamphetamine to a person in Moranbah on July 22, 2021 and on September 3, 2021 she then sold another 1.75g of methamphetamine to a buyer for $1100 and on September 17 she was involved in arranging a much larger deal.

The court heard Shearman was involved in arranging the supply of 7g of methamphetamine in exchange for around $4000.

A search warrant was then executed at her Moranbah address on November 12, 2021 and Shearman declared a phone, which was used in the offending.

Shearman pleaded guilty to three charges of supplying drugs and one count of possession of something used to commit a crime.

Defence barrister Phillip Moore said Shearman was born in Mackay, before she moved to Moranbah and later to Clermont with a partner while she was in Grade 11.

The court heard Shearman was able to complete grade 12 despite an abusive relationship and her own drug use. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Mr Moore said at the time of offending she was “using approximately three grams of methamphetamine a week on average”.

The court heard Shearman had also fractured vertebrae in a car accident in 2022 and was prescribed oxycodone.

Shearman spent several nights in custody at a watch-house after a fail to appear offence in March 2022 and Mr Moore said, “it was that period that scared her” and she began to focus on rehabilitation.

District Judge Loury said Shearman had taken “considerable” steps to demonstrate her commitment to rehabilitation.
“You might appreciate Ms Shearman that you stand before me as a young attractive woman,” Judge Loury said.
“If you use drugs, you won’t remain an attractive woman.”

Judge Loury also told Shearman the oxycodone she was prescribed was an addictive drug and she should “start making steps to overcome your use of that drug”.

Shearman was sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment suspended for two years and convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Melanie Bree Shearman sentenced for meth sales, $4k planned deal