Photo: Getty Images / Kristian Dowling

Former ‘Australian Idol’ Winner Avoids Jail Time Over Drugs & Weapons Charges

Former Australian Idol winner Kate DeAraugo has avoided jail time after being caught carrying weapons and drug driving earlier this year.

DeAraugo, who took out the Idol title in 2005 and was once part of the pop group Young Divas, was facing a possible conviction after being found in possession of ice twice within five days in Shepparton, Victoria earlier this year.

She was also caught with a large knife and a tomahawk, and was found to have been driving with drugs in her system.

As the AAP reports, the 32-year-old has now been handed a 12-month community correction order and been disqualified from driving for six months after pleading guilty to eight offences in October.

DeAraugo was reportedly facing up to 15 years behind bard, but a drug trafficking charge against her was withdrawn by prosecutors. She was charged with possessing a drug of dependence and with two counts of possessing a controlled weapon.

DeAraugo, who previously faced traffic and drug charges in Sydney in 2015, released her debut album A Place I’ve Never Been shortly after winning Idol and her latest single ‘Shut Your Mouth’ in 2015.

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