Stacey Anne Gardner caught drug driving while disqualified two days in a row

The 28-year-old mother was caught with meth and cannabis in her system while driving disqualified, with her defence highlighting how she began using hard drugs. See what happened in court here. 

A 28-year-old single mother caught drug driving while disqualified two days in a row has been warned she risked being sent to jail.

Stacey Anne Gardner was pulled over by police while driving on Boundary St, Westbrook, about 9am, May 25, Toowoomba Magistrates Court heard.

She tested positive for methylamphetamine and checks of her driver’s licence found she had been disqualified from driving by the court for seven months on March 15, police prosecutor Anita Page told the court.

The very next day, Gardner was pulled over while driving on Gostwyk St, Toowoomba, about 11.20am and told police she had been caught driving the day before, she said.

This time Gardner tested positive for cannabis and meth and again she was driving while disqualified.

She pleaded guilty to all four offences.

Ms Page said Gardner had four previous drug driving offences.

Her solicitor Claire Graham, of Skuse Graham Lawyers, told the court the single mother of one had turned to drug use in 2016 after the death of an aunt who was close to her.

At the time of these offences she had been going through a difficult time arising from family issues, she said.

Ms Graham submitted a term of probation so her client could be given assistance.

Magistrate Kay Philipson warned Gardner how serious the charges were.

“You’re getting to the point you’re risking going to jail,” she told the defendant.

Ms Philipson placed Gardner on 12 months probation to include drug testing and disqualified her from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence for three years.