On a road trip to buy drugs to sell, a Wanganui grandmother was twice pulled over for speeding.
Suspicious at Tanya Lepper's behaviour, police seized her mobile phone to check. On it they found text messages making arrangements to buy and sell drugs.
The 41-year-old, described as a serious drug dealer, arrived
to be sentenced at the Wanganui District Court yesterday, prepared for a likely jail term.
Lepper arrived in court carrying a large bag in preparation for prison. Her family, including her parents and children, were also in court supporting her.
Judge Neville Dawson did not disappoint, jailing Lepper for three years and three months.
Lepper had pleaded guilty to four charges of selling and supplying a class A drug (methamphetamine or P), nine charges of selling and supplying cannabis, and one charge of disqualified driving.
Judge Dawson said Lepper had been a blight on the community and her actions had caused hardship and pain to many people.
The court was told that on May 8 and 9, 2010, Lepper had made a round trip to Tauranga and Wellington with two associates to pick up drugs for distribution.
They had picked up a quantity of P with an estimated street value of $30,000 in Tauranga and planned to travel to Wellington, before returning to Wanganui.
They had been stopped twice for speeding. On one occasion Lepper was driving.
Lepper's cellphone was eventually seized by police, suspicious of her activities.
They found a long list of texts, all relating to the buying and selling of drugs.
Judge Dawson said she was instrumental in supplying drugs and her actions were all premeditated.
In a letter to the judge, Lepper's son said his mother had not offended again during the past 12 months and asked that this behaviour be considered.
However, Judge Dawson said Lepper had pushed it as far as she could.
"If you offend again in this way, you won't get a light sentence like this ever again. You have been given every opportunity ... regard this as your last one," he said.
