Meth addiction lands Toowoomba mum in hot water, again

An unlicenced mum of five has been caught driving with meth in her system as she picked up a child from school, just moments after she lost patience attempting to get her licence renewed.

Mother of five, Zara May Carter pleaded guilty to her latest drug driving offence on Thursday, September 21.

A repeat drug driving offender fronted Toowoomba court after police caught her driving with methamphetamine in her saliva while on a school pick-up run.

Mother of five Zara May Carter pleaded guilty to her latest drug driving offence on Thursday, September 21.

She also pleaded guilty to driving unlicensed and possessing a pipe.

Toowoomba Magistrates Court heard she was convicted of the same offence twice in 2022, and the Toowoomba Chronicle reported Carter was caught drug driving with an infant in 2018.

Mother of five, Zara May Carter pleaded guilty to her latest drug driving offence on Thursday, September 21.

Police prosecutor Kinsley Weir said the 31-year-old came to the attention of police on July 12, when she was illegally parked on Warwick St, Harristown while loading children into the car.

Senior Constable Weir said Carter told officers she had just left the Department of Transport and Main Roads, where she attempted to renew her licence, but left due to long lines.

The court heard Carter was charged with possessing a glass pipe with burnt ice residue on August 30 when police attended her home for an unrelated matter.

Solicitor Joe McConnell said Carter was battling a long-term addiction and made a concerted effort to stop using daily after she began looking after her grandmother who was quite ill.

The director of McConnell & Saldumbide Criminal Lawyers said Carter was raised by her grandmother from age 11 after enduring a disadvantaged, neglectful, and abusive childhood.

Magistrate Kyna Morice noted Carter took steps to address her addiction and was also dealing with mental health issues, and warned continued offending would have an ongoing impact on her family.

“It would seem unfortunately that’s not enough of a motivator for you and you do need to (get help),” she said.

She told Carter she needed support and to learn coping skills, especially as she was caring for her grandmother whose health was likely to deteriorate.

“If you spiral further then your children will be with a mother and you will find yourself in a very precarious situation with the courts,” she said.

Carter was placed on a 12 month probation order and disqualified from driving for two years.