Indonesia wants jail for WA woman

Prosecutors are pushing for one year's jail for a West Australian woman charged with drugs offences in Indonesia.

An Australian truck driver has fronted an Indonesian court wearing a black head scarf as she faces a year behind bars for possessing methamphetamine.

Schapelle Corby wore similar garb on her release from jail in Bali this week to hide her face from the media.

But in this case, Julie Anne Joseph, 32, was trying to show respect for the court.

Joseph, of Port Hedland, has been in custody on the island of Lombok since October last year, since allegedly being found with 1.73 grams of white crystal meth.

Police reportedly became suspicious and searched her after going to her aid at a motorbike accident, where she became protective of her handbag.

A court on Thursday heard Joseph would be charged with second-tier drugs offences only, with prosecutors accepting the meth was for her personal use.

The charges carry a penalty of a maximum four years' jail.

Prosecutor Iman Nurimansyah told the court Joseph's actions were counter to the government's efforts to combat drugs.

In her favour, Joseph openly gave police a statement and was being cooperative.

"We found ... to give a penalty to the defendant of one year in jail," he said.

Joseph told reporters before court that she was well, but had not been allowed to smoke or communicate by mobile phone.

"I'm in a healthy condition, ready to face the trial," she said.

Her defence is expected to respond to the charges next week.


2 min read

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Updated

Source: AAP


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