P-plater caught drug driving three times

Prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Anna Hanlon said Johnston tested positive to methamphetamine when driving an unregistered blue Mazda 3 without P-plates or carrying her probationary licence on Katamatite-Nathalia Rd, Numurkah on March 27, 2023.

The Mazda 3 was a manual car, and it was part of Johnston’s licence conditions to drive only automatic motor vehicles.

Johnston had friends in the car, which also breached the conditions of her probationary licence, Leading Sen Constable Hanlon said.

Johnston told police she had taken “meth and weed”, was “doing a favour for a friend” and her licence was in her mum’s car, which was at her mum’s workplace, the court heard.

Sen Constable Hanlon told the court Johnston tested positive for methamphetamine when driving a silver Ford on McLennan St, Mooroopna on November 5, 2023, and again when driving a Ford wagon on Callister St, Shepparton on November 17, 2023.

Johnston had multiple prior convictions dating back to 2017, the court heard.

Representing herself in court, Johnston said she was in recovery from her drug addiction and had stopped using in December 2023.

She told the court she got involved in drugs because she “hung around the wrong crowd”, and she “won’t go back”.

“Most people I know are on drugs, I’m trying to stay away from them,” Johnston said.

Johnston told the court after getting the qualifications, she had begun working as an independent support worker, caring for a 92-year-old woman.

Magistrate Olivia Trumble said she would normally issue a community corrections order, but felt it would be “counterproductive”, considering the work Johnston had already done.

Ms Trumble told Johnston it was good she had “turned a corner” and “found greater meaning in life”.

Johnston was fined $800 and her licence was disqualified for 12 months.