Court anger at ‘drug mule’ sentencing delay

A Geraldton magistrate has called the six-month wait required to sentence a 20-year-old Waggrakine woman who pleaded guilty to possessing nearly 170g of methamphetamine and large amounts of cash, “outrageous”.

On October 15 in East Bowes, east of Northampton, Crystal Godfrey was found with cash and drugs in her backpack, which she told police were being held for someone else.

She had been picked up when police attempted to pull over the vehicle she was a passenger in for faulty tail-lights on North West Coastal Highway about 7.30pm.

The vehicle allegedly reached speeds of up to 173 km/h as the driver tried to evade police, but was forced to stop after police deployed road spikes.

After a short foot chase, Godfrey was apprehended with the 35-year-old Perth male driver of the vehicle.

In Geraldton Magistrate’s Court last week, Godfrey appeared via video link from Greenough Regional Prison, and pleaded guilty to possessing unlawfully obtained property and drugs with intent to sell or supply.

When the charges were read Godfrey initially denied them, saying she had never intended to sell or supply the drugs, despite her lawyer Ryan Arndt indicating pleas of guilty would be entered.

Magistrate Donna Webb had to explain to Godfrey that even if she was carrying the drugs for another person she was culpable as a party to the offence.

“You were, in effect, a drug mule,” she said.

Mr Arndt also said they disagreed with the amount of cash the prosecution claimed Godfrey was carrying (which was allegedly $76,190), though it was still a large amount.

Proceedings were caught in another snag though when Ms Webb tried to schedule a fast-tracked sentencing day for Godfrey on her guilty plea, only to discover that the next available sentencing day was May 1.

“That’s six months for a fast-tracked plea of guilty, that’s an outrage,” she said.

“I’m going to put it to the 20th of March and if someone yells at me for it, then so be it.”

Unfortunately Ms Webb was unable to bring the sentencing forward because of limitations of the computer system, so she advised Mr Arndt to seek out an earlier court date in Perth when possible.

As the sentencing progressed Godfrey’s behaviour became increasingly erratic, and she began hyperventilating and looking around the room.

Ms Webb noted that she had behaved like this during her last appearance, and there would have to be a psychological report before sentencing.