Ella-Paige Julia Stokell: Waverley mum in 39 offence crime spree

A Tasmanian mum repeatedly stole, drove unlicensed under the influence of ice and speed, and possessed a pharmacy worth of illicit substances among other offending, a court has heard.

A Launceston mum racked up nearly 40 offences in the space of about a year, a court has heard, with the young woman repeatedly driving unlicensed under the influence of ice and speed, stealing electronics, brandishing stolen cards and licenses, and possessing and selling dangerous drugs.

Waverley woman Ella-Paige Julia Stokell, 27, previously pleaded guilty to 39 offences, committed mostly between mid-2020 and mid-2021, with her sentence commencing before Launceston Magistrate Ken Stanton on Friday.

Among other offending, Stokell drove unlicensed eight times, drug drove with ice and speed in her system five times, possessed controlled drugs four times, sold cannabis twice, stole three times, unlawfully possessed bank cards or gun licenses twice, and dishonestly tried to pass off another’s driver’s license once.

Her offending occurred right across Launceston, including the suburbs of Mayfield, Waverley, Mowbray and Newstead, as well as the Brisbane St Mall, where Jaycar Electronics was the subject of several thefts.

Typically, Stokell’s offending came to light after she was pulled over for a breath, saliva or license check, which would reveal her noncompliance and occasionally lead to searches of her vehicle and person.

Breaking News Breaking News Waverley woman Ella-Paige Julia Stokell, 27. Picture: Facebook

At different times, Tasmania Police officers discovered Stokell in possession of cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine, amphetamine (speed), MDMA, and a variety of smoking utensils.

Defence solicitor Fran McCracken told the court her client, a mother-of-two, was introduced to dangerous drugs by an ex-partner who was “well-known” to the court.

She said Stokell still used drugs recreationally and, as such, she submitted her client would benefit from a period of probation.

The thefts were committed due to financial stress, Ms McCracken said.

Magistrate Stanton adjourned his decision to March 23, to allow Community Corrections to prepare a pre-sentence report on Stokell.

In addition to the 39 charges the defendant fell to be sentenced on, Magistrate Stanton dismissed a fortieth charge, stealing, for want of evidence.

A further three charges, of reckless driving, evading police and driving unlicensed, were mentioned for the first time on Friday.

These charges were adjourned to April 20, with Ms Mcracken telling the court her client disputed the charges.