Ella Nelice Cowton pleads guilty to drug possession, supply charges

A young woman has admitted to a number of drug charges.

Ella Nelice Cowton. Picture: Instagram

A Gold Coast woman busted in a Sunshine Coast home with a bag of cocaine has learned her fate in court.

Ella Nelice Cowton, 24, appeared in the Caloundra Magistrates Court on Tuesday, February 25.

Cowton pleaded guilty to a total of four charges of possession of a dangerous drug, supply of a dangerous drug, possessing property used in a drug offence and one of possessing anything used in the commission of a crime.

Police prosecutor Michael Quirk said police searched a house in Nirimba in September 2024, finding a bag of “white powder” weighing about 0.1g.

Mr Quirk said a further two bags were then found in Cowton’s handbag.

The police prosecutor said Cowton told police the bags were not for her, that it was cocaine and that she had some on a night out and forgot there was still some in her bag.

The court was also told Cowton handed her phone to police, which revealed a series of messages regarding the sale of drugs.

Mr Quirk read a number of messages to the court, “ ‘If you can get two 50s?’ the defendant ‘100 per cent’.”

Ella Nelice Cowton pleaded guilty to drug charges in the Caloundra Magistrates Court. Picture: Instagram

Defence lawyer Joshua Tiffin said the former private school girl and nursing student had moved to the Sunshine Coast to “explore opportunities”.

Mr Tiffin said Cowton had strong family support, having moved back home to the Gold Coast, and was on a “positive trajectory”. Magistrate Catherine Benson told the court she was confidant Cowton would not reoffend.

“You are not this person, you were not this person and with the ongoing support of your family and the other support you are now engaged in I can be satisfied you will not revert to this behaviour,” Ms Benson said.

Ms Benson placed Cowton on a good behaviour bond for six months with a recognisance of $1200.

No conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Ella Nelice Cowton pleads guilty to drug possession, supply charges