Jayda Howard pleads guilty to petty crime spree after three months in jail

A court has heard about a young mother’s time in custody following her arrest on multiple charges after spiralling into drugs.

Jayda Howard faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court for her sentencing hearing last week. Picture: Patrick Woods.

A young Nerang mum has been released from jail after a slew of crimes during a spiral on meth.

Jayda Howard’s spent three months behind bars on remand following her self destruction due to drugs, which was retold in Maroochydore Magistrates Court last week after she admitted to all 13 charges against her.

Her circumstances were heard following guilty pleas to 13 offences including two counts of trespass, two of breaching bail and one of enter premises with intent, possessing drugs, stealing and failing to appear in court.

Among her allegations, police claim the 22-year-old was seen leaving a Maroochydore home on January 12 with a group of people.

When the victim arrived home she saw the group and Howard leave, with the 22-year-old telling the resident they wanted to rent the property. She then left in a vehicle.

The victim knew their home was broken into due to the screens on one of the doors being damaged along with items removed.

Howard’s other offences included causing a public nuisance at a retirement village’s pool area in Parrearra after verbally abusing members of the body corporate on January 24, along with being found with drugs, driving without a licence and stealing.

Jayda Howard pleaded guilty to all charges. Picture: Social media

The court heard she was remanded in custody earlier this year and spent 95 days behind bars before her sentence hearing on Friday last week.

Police prosecutor Jeanette Grigoris said Howard offended while on bail, delayed her court proceedings further and showed a non compliance with road rules.

Defence solicitor Tania Pizarro said Howard, who was from Tamworth but had lived on the Sunshine Coast, was previously diagnosed with cancer and suffered from other serious ongoing health issues which her lawyer said may last a lifetime.

Ms Pizarro told the court Howard was involved in a “bad crowd” and due to personal issues at the time she “lost all hope” and “spiralled” into drugs which resulted in her criminal charges.

She appeared in court by video from jail. Picture: Social media

The court heard Howard had abstained from drugs and completed rehabilitation courses since being on remand.

The Legal Aid solicitor said Howard hoped to reconnect with her child once released from prison.

Magistrate Rod Madsen accepted the 22-year-old’s remorse and her letter to the court where she stated she was “disgusted” with herself.

He also accepted the time on remand would have been “life altering” for her.

On the other hand however, Mr Madsen believed the enter premises with intent charge was not “spur of the moment” but due to who she was associating with at the time and drug use.

The magistrate said even for people with tragic life circumstances she could still be jailed for offences such as hers, which showed a “complete disregard” for the victim’s privacy and property.

Howard was placed on an 18 month probation order with a conviction recorded.

Originally published as Jayda Howard pleads guilty to petty crime spree after three months in jail