A BATHURST woman has escaped time in jail for her role in a major drug distribution operation in the city.
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Erin Clayton, 22, of Alcheringa Road in Kelso, was sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment on Monday but will serve the time by way of an Intensive Corrections Order (ICO), meaning she will serve the sentence within the community.
Bathurst Local Court magistrate Cate Follent also ordered Clayton to carry out 180 hours of community service.
Clayton had previously pleaded guilty to knowingly participating in a criminal group assisting crime while a co-accused, her partner Aiden John Hartnett, pleaded guilty to supplying a prohibited drug (larger or equal to a commercial quantity).
Hartnett remains in custody and will be sentenced during the next sittings of the Bathurst District Court.
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In a letter of apology written to the court, Clayton said she wished to express her sincere remorse as well as provide a personal reflection of what she said was her true character: a stay-at-home mum who had worked casually in a jewellery store before returning to study at TAFE.
Clayton told the court she has since completed a Certificate III in Fitness and now "volunteers at a variety of community places".
She said she hoped the court could see "I'm not the person this situation depicts me to be", but rather a "well-mannered, respectful and positive young woman".
Clayton said it was not the role model she wanted to be for her young daughter, adding she was ashamed of her mistakes and was extremely remorseful.
Clayton said it had been "a tough time financially, emotionally and mentally" since she had been charged.
Her solicitor, Mr Dib, spoke of her contrition and remorse, as did references tended to the court.
"In hindsight, she knew her actions were wrong," he said.
He said her affidavit provided insight into this, saying it contained powerful subjective material that the behaviour "was her actions, her decisions".
In sentencing, Ms Follent said the offending fell just below mid range for this type of offence.
Ms Follent said despite Clayton saying she only played a minimal role in offending, "she knew precisely what she was doing".
Ms Follent noted Clayton's chances of rehabilitation were good, but said she needed to take into account the principles of general deterrence, adding it wasn't only about Clayton's rehabilitation.
Ms Follent said actions such as Clayton's caused untold damage and had to be denounced.