Woman held on P charge

Sophia Bickerton. Photo / Supplied

A young childcare worker is being held in custody, charged with possession of methamphetamine, weapons and unlawfully taking a vehicle.

Sophia Elizabeth Bickerton, 24, has been behind bars since April 18 after she was arrested on SH16, in Auckland. She was charged with unlawfully taking a Subaru Impreza worth $5200, and police allege she had a meth pipe, knife and screwdriver in her possession.

Her mother, Jenny Bickerton, stuck up for her daughter by saying people aren't always rational in stressful situations.

"They don't think," Bickerton said.

Sophia described herself to police as an Ellerslie childcare worker, though her mother said she hasn't worked in the industry for a while.

"I can tell you she has not worked with children on a paid basis for years," Bickerton said. "She might have helped out a friend."

Sophia was going through a healing process, she added, and needed her space.

"Slamming her name makes her future almost impossible to live in society as a healed person."

Sophia will appear at Waitakere District Court tomorrow where she is expected to apply for bail.