Woman out after 120 days

A WOMAN caught with three times the trafficable quantity of methamphetamine has been released from custody.

Ashleigh Shafto, 25, fronted the Geelong Magistrates’ Court yesterday to plead guilty to drug and theft-related charges.

The court heard the Norlane woman had been locked up for 120 days after her arrest in July over a string of matters, including drug possessions and car theft.

The court was told Shafto’s problems started in January when the suspended L-plate driver was caught behind the wheel.

Then on April 8 she was seen sitting in the passenger seat of a black Honda sedan at a Corio police station when police realised the car had stolen number plates.

Prosecutor Leading Senior Constable David Vanderpol told the court police saw Shafto try to hide something down her pants.

Shafto was arrested and placed in a police van when she again tried to take something from her pants.

She was stopped by police, who found her trying to hide a small bag containing five grams of methamphetamine.

Police searched the car Shafto had been in and found a total of 9.1 grams of methamphetamine — more than three times the trafficable amount — and also found capsules of GHB, a black container with more than 40 resealable plastic deal bags and cash stuffed in two purses. Other drug paraphernalia was seized.

On another occasion, Shafto was found sleeping in the passenger seat of a car where 0.067 grams of ice was found.

In June, Shafto asked a friend to rent a hire car for her that she never returned and later crashed. She was arrested for the final time in July over the theft of that vehicle.

Shafto was sentenced to 120 days, all of which has been served, and was released to complete a 14-month community corrections order.