Jemma Grace Tigges pleads guilty in Toowoomba Magistrates Court to drug driving

A young Toowoomba woman’s trip to the shops ended in a court date after she was caught driving without a licence with drugs in her system. But that wasn’t the end of her troubles.

A Toowoomba mother has been hit with a significant fine after she was busted drug driving and behind the wheel without a licence on her way to the shops

A warrant was issued for Jemma Grace Tigges’ arrest when she failed to attend court on Tuesday, June 13, to deal with a drug drive and unlicensed driving charge.

The mother of one surrendered to the Toowoomba Magistrate Court on Thursday, June 15, and pleaded guilty to the two charges.

Police prosecutor Kinsley Weir said police intercepted the 20-year-old driving unlicensed in the Clifford Gardens Shopping Centre carpark, at 4.20pm on April 21.

At the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Thursday, June 15, Tigges pleaded guilty to driving while drugs were present in her system while on a disqualified licence.

A certificate of analysis revealed Tigges had methylamphetamine and cannabis in her system.

The self-represented mother told the court she “didn’t really” have the capacity to pay a fine because she was “on the dole” and caring for her two-year-old child, as well as her teenage sister.

However, she said she would prefer to pay a fine rather than complete a community service order.

Magistrate Clare Kelly asked Tigges if she had anything to say regarding the incident.

“I apologise and that’s about it,” she replied.

Magistrate Kelly noted Tigges had a prior drug driving offence before disqualifying her licence for two years and imposing a $750 fine.