Townsville Bulletin

Ice mum in ‘ harebraine­d scheme’ Drug pusher gets parole

- VICTORIA NUGENT

A MOTHER of two was supplying the drug ice as part of a “harebraine­d scheme” to cover her expenses, a court has heard.

Codee Maree Smith- Wehrman, 26, faced Townsville District Court yesterday to be sentenced for counts of supplying a dangerous drug, possessing a dangerous drug, unlawful possession of a controlled drug, possessing anything suspected of being used in the commission of a crime and possessing property suspected of being used in connection with the commission of a drug offence.

Crown prosecutor Jodie Crane told the court SmithWehrm­an was in a car intercepte­d by police on July 24, 2016.

Ms Crane said police found two containers of ice in SmithWehrm­an’s handbag and her phone contained text messages offering to supply drugs.

Judge William Everson said Smith- Wehrman had contacted people via text message looking for customers.

“She’s trying to set up her own little drug deal network basically,” he said.

Defence barrister Michael Hibble told the court that Smith- Wehrman, a heavy machinery operator for a mine, was in a dysfunctio­nal relationsh­ip at the time.

“She was in fact still working at the mine,” he said.

“She instructs that he was effectivel­y taking every cent she earned, she had no money to herself and in fact she had no money to pay rent.

“So it was in those circumstan­ces that she came up with a harebraine­d scheme to in fact pay for those expenses.”

But Judge Everson said he didn’t “find that submission very convincing”.

“You’re getting $ 120,000 a year and you’re in a relationsh­ip where someone who’s taking your money, you don’t suddenly become a drug dealer, you leave,” he said.

Mr Hibble said SmithWehrm­an’s offending was “nipped in the bud” by getting apprehende­d by police.

Smith- Wehrman was sentenced to 12 months for supplying a dangerous drug and nine months for possessing a dangerous drug.

For the three other charges she was convicted without further punishment.

She was released on parole yesterday.

 ?? Codee Maree Smith- Wehrman. Picture: FACEBOOK ??
Codee Maree Smith- Wehrman. Picture: FACEBOOK

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