Shannon Elizabeth James pleads guilty to drug offending in Mackay court
A psychologist stopped for a random alcohol and drug test denied she had been using when police found drug items in her bag. But the test results showed otherwise.
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A mental health psychologist has been banned from driving after she was busted behind the wheel with meth in her system.
When police stopped the Whitsunday woman for a random breath and drug test on November 29, 2023 at Cannonvale they also found a used glass pipe and restricted drug in her handbag.
Shannon Elizabeth James pleaded guilty to three charges including driving with relevant drug in her system, possessing restricted drugs and possessing used drug utensils.
Prosecutor Sergeant Hannah Beaumont said officers had intercepted 28-year-old James on Shute Harbour Rd about 5.20pm.
“She made admission to recent recreational cannabis use,” Sergeant Beaumont said.
The roadside drug test returned a positive result and further saliva tests “confirmed the presence of methylamphetamines” in her system, Sergeant Beaumont told Mackay Magistrates Court.
When she was questioned about drug items in her handbag, James said she was “aware the pipe was there but denied having used it”, Sergeant Beaumont said.
Barron and Allen defence solicitor Aaron Sellentin said James was a 28-year-old registered health worker with no children who lived at home with her parent.
“She is a provisional psychologist working in mental health,” Mr Sellentin said, submitted for drug diversion, a fine and no convictions recorded.
Magistrate Damien Dwyer said the drug utensil was forfeited and placed James on a $450 four-month good behaviour bond and as a consequence she must attend a drug education session on July 16.
She was also fined $750 and her licence was disqualified for four months.
Convictions were not recorded.
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Originally published as Shannon Elizabeth James pleads guilty to drug offending in Mackay court
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