By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A heavily-pregnant homeless woman has been charged by police for allegedly prostituting herself in a tent on a residential nature strip in Dandenong.
The 38-year-old mother of four was allegedly living in the tent with her partner for a fortnight in Scott Street before her arrest, Dandenong Magistrates’ Court was told on 8 August.
The woman, who had a warrant for her arrest for failing to appear on bail, was arrested by police who assisted Greater Dandenong Council in clearing away the tent and rubbish strewn on the nature strip.
The seven-month pregnant woman had failed to appear on bail multiple times and has had 31 warrants for her arrest, the bail hearing heard.
Sergeant Len Patton of Springvale police told the court that he had concerns for the unborn baby’s welfare due to the expectant mother using heroin daily and performing sex for cash on a “regular” basis.
The woman told the court she’d transferred onto methadone just before giving birth to her other children.
“And they’re quite healthy,” she said.
Defence lawyer John Buxton told the court that the woman was booked to begin a medical program specialising in treating heroin-addicted pregnant women with methadone in two days.
He said a friend of the woman in Springvale South had offered to take her in and transport her to medical appointments.
“The fact is my client has been homeless for the past month and lives in a tent.”
Magistrate Gerard Bryant commented: “You’ve really hit rock bottom if you’re living in a tent in Dandenong … on a nature strip.
“It really must be one of your lowest ebbs,” Mr Bryant said to the applicant.
She was bailed to reside with the friend, subject to a night curfew and drug ban. Her partner was excluded from the house as part of the bail conditions.
“You’re not to come back to Dandenong. That’s for your safety and your child’s safety,” Mr Bryant said.
“In a perfect world, we don’t want you using drugs. It has a serious effect on your baby inside you.”
The accused will next appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 15 August.
