A Dunedin woman found with $6000 of methamphetamine and a large knife in her handbag attempted to flee on foot from police before falling and being arrested.
Jasmine Lee Campbell, 28, appeared in the Dunedin District Court last week after her addiction to meth led her to begin dealing the drug to fund her own use.
Supplying carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
On May 21, the woman was the passenger in a vehicle stopped by police.
A bong was located in the footwell and the three occupants were advised they were being detained.
Court documents said Campbell "began to act suspicious around her handbag" before being asked to place it on the kerb.
She bolted down the street despite being advised she was under arrest.
A short time later, Campbell tripped and fell.
She refused to co-operate and was arrested.
Officers found 12g of methamphetamine and a 30cm-long flick knife in her handbag, along with scales, snap-lock bags and $670.
She denied supplying the drug and said the pre-weighed bags were rationed out to manage her own addiction.
Judge David Robinson remained unconvinced, noting he had heard the same excuse many times.
"This was out-and-out dealing for you to fund your own addiction.
"There are indications that you are still using.
"I don’t know if that is the correct position or not, but the reality is, you can’t.
"You need to detox before you go [to rehabilitation].
"You need to commit to abstinence right from today."
Campbell was convicted of possessing a knife, possessing methamphetamine for supply, breaching the search and surveillance act, suspended driving and absconding from police.
She was sentenced to 10 months’ home detention and disqualified from driving for six months.
"Please take it from me: this is your one shot and your best shot at getting away from this," Judge Robinson said.
