A WARRNAMBOOL ice trafficker who broke bail conditions by continuing to smoke the drug has been placed on a 15-month community corrections order which includes drug testing.
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Laura Kean-Morris, 25, of Ryan Court, pleaded guilty in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court yesterday to trafficking ice, other drug-related offending and breaching bail.
Police intercepted Kean-Morris outside the Warrnambool police station in Koroit Street on April 11 this year driving a Holden Astra.
She admitted having used ice at a friend’s place.
Kean-Morris handed over a purse containing an ice pipe lighter, a straw, a glass ice pipe and a tampon box containing six zip-lock plastic bags, five of which contained ice.
There was also cannabis and a bong in the back of her car, a bag of ice in her shirt and $280 in cash.
She was observed by police trying to reset her iPhone which would have deleted all messages, information and applications.
Police claimed that while trying to reset her phone, Kean-Morris attempted to burn a police officer with a cigarette lighter.
Officers later found the phone contained numerous Facebook and text messages relating to ice trafficking and it became clear she was part of a Warrnambool drug trafficking syndicate.
Police believed she was under the influence of ice and she tested positive in a driver’s drug test.
Kean-Morris said she had been using ice for five years, other drugs since she was 15 years old and been trafficking for a short period.
On May 5 police went to Kean-Morris’ home and found she was not there, despite an overnight curfew. Her mother said she was concerned her daughter was still using drugs.
Police found Kean-Morris at a Hyland Street address. She was remanded in custody overnight and admitted she was still using drugs.
Defence counsel Belinda Northey said Kean-Morris denied trying to burn the police officer and explained she was just trying to silence her phone.
The solicitor said Kean-Morris had fallen asleep at a friend’s place while on bail and she had been decreasing her drug use at the time.
Magistrate Ron Saines said Kean-Morris had done everything she could to avoid the consequences of trafficking ice.
She was convicted of the eight charges and placed on a 15-month CCO with conditions she perform 150 hours’ community work and undertake assessment and treatment for drugs and mental health issues.
She is also to provide clean drug urine screens throughout the order.