Lowanna Queenie Dwyer jailed for breaking into Geraldton’s Commonwealth Bank while on meth binge

A 25-year-old woman who broke into a Geraldton bank last week during a methamphetamine binge has been jailed for a year. Lowanna Queenie Dwyer appeared in Geraldton Magistrate’s Court yesterday, pleading guilty to criminal damage and burglary charges stemming from the May 25 incident. The court was told Dwyer smashed her way into Commonwealth Bank on Chapman Road using rocks around 3.20am and tried unsuccessfully to open ATM machines and cabinets in the cash room with a screwdriver. Prosecutor Sergeant Beau Jones said that, while inside, she smashed several glass panels causing “extensive damage” to the building. “When police attended they located the accused inside the premises holding a screwdriver,” he said. “She was arrested and charged with the present offences.” Dwyer’s lawyer Xavier Sellathambu said she was under the influence at the time and she was now sober and remorseful. “She acknowledges it caused a serious inconvenience to the bank and customers,” he said. “She instructs she urgently wants to go to rehab.” The court heard the offending breached a suspended term of imprisonment for assaulting a public officer and stealing a motor vehicle. She was sentenced to a total term of 12 months imprisonment by Magistrate Chris Miocevich who said it was disappointing she was unable to keep out of trouble. “Unfortunately due to your addiction you keep committing offences,” he said. “Hopefully when you get out you’ll be strong enough to overcome it.”