Teen mum of twins jailed 3 years for drug dealing

A teenage mother of twins left the courtroom to start a three-year jail sentence for dealing $30,000 worth of methamphetamine. Photo / File

A teenage mother of twins cried out "I love you" to family members as she left the courtroom to start a three-year jail sentence for dealing $30,000 worth of methamphetamine.

Bishop Holtz, 19, of Otangarei appeared for sentence in the Whangarei District Court after pleading guilty to representative charges of supplying 30gm of methamphetamine, offering to supply cannabis and offering to supply LSD, between March 4 and April 15 last year.

Her lawyer David Sayes said Holtz grew up in the Whangarei suburb of Otangarei, known by the locals as the 'Hood' and was exposed to things a child should never have to experience.

He said her four brothers had been in and out of jail and were well known to police and the courts. However, Holtz had no previous convictions in adult or youth court.

"In some ways I could almost say it's remarkable," Mr Sayes said.

She had been exposed to drugs at an early age and at the age of 11 was smoking cannabis. At 15 she was pregnant with twin boys.

"Her mother and father stepped in to help with those children , one of which has been very unwell for a lengthy period of time."

Mr Sayes asked for a merciful approach from the judge for what he described was "a smorgasbord of drug offending" involving three plates - methamphetamine, LSD and cannabis.

"The arrest on these matters is a turning point for her in her life. If she walks the talk and becomes a good mother she will have a good future."

Judge de Ridder said as part of a police investigation officers discovered through cellphone texting, the drug dealing included 30gm of methamphetamine, 29 cannabis tinnies and eight LSD trips - all with a total street value of $31,000.

"Your entrance to the court system is at a very serious level," he told Holtz.

"I accept you really had no idea how serious drug dealing was considered by the courts."
Judge Keith de Ridder said while it was a personal tragedy for Holtz, the supply of methamphetamine into the community caused chaos and tragedy. He was not convinced the teen mum was behind the dealing operation.

"Others are behind this you have been actively encouraged to take part in this. With active encouragement of others you were led into this offending."

She was sentenced to three years in jail on the charge of suppling methamphetamine, and a year each on the other charges, to be served concurrently.