‘Wake up call’ after car crash
A LEARNER driver who crashed her car avoiding a kangaroo while high on drugs has had a “wake-up call” while behind bars.
Police prosecutor Lisa Plessius told the Townsville Magistrates Court at 6.15am on August 27, police were called to a vehicle crash on Southern Port Rd, Cluden, where Rebekah Jayne Reeve, 20, told them she swerved to avoid a kangaroo.
She had been driving unsupervised on her learner’s permit and her blood sample tested positive for amphetamine and methylamphetamine.
She was in court facing a slew of charges for multiple offences committed over a seven month period.
In September, Reeve was involved in the theft of a vehicle from a Brisbane carpark, and was seen on CCTV in October and November taking part in four fuel drive offs in North Queensland.
On November 4, she was involved in the theft of a number plate from another vehicle.
Police tracked her down to a house in South Townsville on November 17, where they found a bong, glass pipe, needles, syringes, clip seal bags, electric scales, scoops, testosterone, and the keys to a business.
Reeve was the passenger of a vehicle that was pulled over by police on January 24 where they located 0.1g of meth in her handbag, a set of electronic scales, a vehicle unlocking remote and a glass pipe she had hidden down her pants.
Between November and March, Reeve failed to appear in court and report for her bail requirements.
Appearing via video link in court on Wednesday, Reeve pleaded guilty to the unlawful use of a vehicle, stealing, driving while a relevant drug was present while on her learners, driving unsupervised on her learners, dangerous drug possession, possessing utensils, possessing property in connection with a drug offence, fail to take reasonable care with a syringe, contravening a requirement of police, failure to appear in accordance with undertaking and nine breaches of bail conditions.
Ms Plessius believed a period of probation was necessary to address the drug and stealing offences.
Her defence lawyer Phil Rennick said his young client had a limited criminal history and was in the midst of drug addiction when the offending occurred.
After this “wake up call”, Mr Rennick said his client planned to seek help from Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Services upon her release.
Magistrate Richard Leh
mann said the offending was protracted and the breaches bail and failing to appear warranted a term of imprisonment.
He encouraged Reeve to address her drug habit because if she misstepped, jail awaited.
Given her 47 days served in jail, he released her on 18 months probation, ordered $145.48 paid in restitution, with convictions recorded.
She was also disqualified from driving for three months.