A Barrack Heights woman who distributed drugs for a large-scale meth syndicate operating in Lake Illawarra did so because it gave her a "sense of purpose", a court has heard.
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Katie O'Connor, aged 38, fronted Wollongong Local Court on Monday to hear her fate after she was caught "running" drugs for an alleged supplier Steven Woods to his street dealers.
Magistrate Claire Girotto sentenced O'Connor to a three-year intensive corrections order, which she will serve in the community, as well as 300 hours of community service.
O'Connor got involved with the criminal group because she wanted to feel "loved and needed" following a violent relationship and admitted to be "easily influenced" by Woods, the court heard.
O'Connor, who was supported in court by her mother and sister, claimed to only get involved in the criminal activity due to her associates.
She pleaded guilty to delivering drugs and collecting proceeds for the syndicate from July 16, 2018 until Woods was arrested on February 22, 2019.
He has been charged with supplying more than four kilograms of methylamphetamine.
Telephone communication intercepts uncovered Woods and O'Connor allegedly discussing drug weights, pricing, and drug quality.
Police allege Woods gave samples to O'Connor and other associates to "ensure the quality of the drug prior to purchase".
On September 26, 2018, police allege Woods and O'Connor drove to Sydney to purchase a white Mercedes. Later that day, Woods was seen driving back to Wollongong in the Mercedes while O'Connor was driving a Subaru Impreza.
Police allege O'Connor positioned her car between Woods and the police to help him escape.
Officers attempted to stop Woods and O'Connor and a police pursuit started, however was terminated a short time later.
O'Connor admitted to helping Woods try to disguise his alleged involvement in the pursuit by transferring the registration papers of the Mercedes into her name before reporting the plates as stolen and requesting new ones to be issued.
On October 23, 2019, O'Connor handed herself into police where she was arrested and charged with supply prohibited drug; hindering apprehension of a person who committed a serious offence and participating in a criminal group as well as two counts of driving while disqualified.
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