Woman who ‘loved meth’ sentenced for Princess Royal Harbour crash and drug possession in prison stop

A Katanning woman who admitted she “loved meth” was high on the drug when she sped along Princess Royal Drive, lost control of her vehicle and plunged into the harbour in front of stunned onlookers. Jaye Maree Browne, 21, faced Albany Magistrates Court on December 22, when she pleaded guilty to driving while impaired by drugs and was handed a 10-month licence disqualification over the crash. On July 31 last year, Browne was at the wheel of a white sedan, which was reported as being driven erratically. Police prosecutor Sergeant Matt Hartfield said Browne drove at speed along Princess Royal Drive and into a carpark, sideswiping another car and hitting rocks, before her vehicle became airborne and crashed into Princess Royal Harbour. Browne climbed out through the window of her sinking car and was rescued by an onlooker, who waded out several metres to carry her back to land. A large crowd gathered at the edge of the harbour after the crash and watched as a crane was used to extract the car from the water. After receiving medical treatment, Browne was taken to Albany Police Station, where she returned a positive test for both meth and amphetamines. Magistrate Dianne Scaddan told the court it was extremely lucky no one was seriously hurt during the crash. “That someone didn’t get hurt, including yourself, is good luck more than anything,” Ms Scaddan said. “It was a huge risk to the public and your car ended up in the water.” Browne was also sentenced for a separate matter in which she “forgot” she had drugs on her while visiting an inmate at Albany Regional Prison. On September 29, Browne was a passenger in a car that was stopped before entering the prison and searched by prison staff and a drug detection dog. A clip seal bag containing 14g of cannabis and 0.1g of meth was found inside her handbag. When questioned by police, Browne told them she forgot the drugs were inside her handbag. Defence lawyer Georgia Herford said Browne was a young woman struggling with the grips of drug addiction and she understood the seriousness of her offending. Ms Herford said the drugs found in her handbag were for personal use and she was not trying to bring them into the prison. “Clearly this offending is relating to her ongoing drug addition,” Ms Herford said. “In her own words, she loved meth and despite still using drugs, she has been taking positive steps towards bringing that use under control. “Ms Browne is gaining a real insight into how destructive this drug can be.” Browne pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine and cannabis, and was fined $800. She was serving a community-based order at the time of the September 29 offences, and Ms Scaddan extended it by four months. Ms Scaddan warned Browne to stay away from using drugs. “You need to do everything you possibly can to avoid taking illicit substances,” Ms Scaddan said. “Especially taking them in a handbag into the prison.”