Wollongong mother avoids jail for cocaine supply conviction
Lorretta Maree Karn, 37, pleaded guilty to supplying cocaine and received a community service order instead of prison time.
A Wollongong mother has escaped jail after pleading guilty to supplying cocaine. Lorretta Maree Karn, 37, was convicted of drug supply, possession, and dealing in proceeds of crime.
Police found 115.86 grams of cocaine at her Dapto home in August 2025. The amount is more than 38 times the trafficable quantity.
Karn's lawyer told the court that crushing debt and untreated mental illness led her to dealing as a desperate way out. The judge said he would have sent her to prison.
But the prosecutor argued for a community-based order instead. Karn received a 20-month community correction order and must complete 250 hours of unpaid community service.
- 250 hours unpaid
- Community service hours
- 20 months
- Community order length
- $2150
- Proceeds of crime paid to Karn
Why it mattersThe case shows how personal crises can drive ordinary people into serious crime and reveals how courts balance punishment with rehabilitation prospects.
AustraliaIt's a local Illawarra court outcome reflecting how regional courts handle drug supply cases involving residents with mental health and financial troubles.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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