Toolbox murder accused planned only 'boot ride scare'
Two men accused of murder by drowning two people in a toolbox thought they were part of a non-fatal "boot ride" punishment common among drug dealers, a jury has heard.
A third man accused of the double murder would be placed at the scene by witnesses who received reduced sentences, the jury also heard.
Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp are charged with murdering Cory Breton, 28, and Iuliana Triscaru, 31, south of Brisbane on January 24, 2016.
Police divers found the bodies of Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru in the box at the bottom of a lagoon two weeks later.
All three men pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at the start of their trial in the Queensland Supreme Court.
John Fraser, defence barrister for Daniels, told the jury during his opening address on Tuesday that his client thought he was taking part in a "boot ride", a common event in the world of drug users and dealers.
"It is where someone is put in the boot of a vehicle and given a scare and then let go," Mr Fraser said.
"This had all the hallmarks of a boot ride."
Mr Fraser said Daniels left the scene before Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru were taken in a toolbox on the back of a HiLux and subject to a "truly shocking" alleged murder.
Prosecutor Nathan Crane previously told the jury the alleged victims, who were "good friends" were likely thrown into a nearby Scrubby Creek while still alive and trapped in the toolbox.
Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru had earlier been lured to a residential unit at Kingston, south of Brisbane, and were tortured before being forced into a large toolbox, Mr Crane said.
Mr Fraser told the jury they would not hear any evidence Daniels went to the creek.
Lars Falcongreen, defence barrister for Taiao, told the jury the "real battleground" for his client at trial was allegations he knew about any plans to kill.
Mr Falcongreen denied claims Taiao would have known death was a probable consequence of the alleged victims being put in a toolbox.
"It is a bit of a stretch that somebody would go down this homicide road when there was a plan to scare the hell out of (Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru)," he said.
Mr Crane previously told the jury Thrupp was allegedly at Scrubby Creek and either personally threw the toolbox into the water or was party to doing so.
Jessica Goldie, defence barrister for Thrupp, said it was not an issue that her client was at the Kingston unit, but claims he had the intent to kill would be contested.
"What happened at Scrubby Creek is really not clear. There is no definitive cause of death," she said.
Ms Goldie said witnesses who were due to testify against Thrupp had received " significant benefits" in their sentences for giving evidence.
"Are they credible? Are they trustworthy? Are they reliable?" she told the jury.
The trial continues before Justice Glenn Martin.
Two men accused of murder by drowning two people in a toolbox thought they were part of a non-fatal "boot ride" punishment common among drug dealers, a jury has heard.
A third man accused of the double murder would be placed at the scene by witnesses who received reduced sentences, the jury also heard.
Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp are charged with murdering Cory Breton, 28, and Iuliana Triscaru, 31, south of Brisbane on January 24, 2016.
Police divers found the bodies of Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru in the box at the bottom of a lagoon two weeks later.
All three men pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at the start of their trial in the Queensland Supreme Court.
John Fraser, defence barrister for Daniels, told the jury during his opening address on Tuesday that his client thought he was taking part in a "boot ride", a common event in the world of drug users and dealers.
"It is where someone is put in the boot of a vehicle and given a scare and then let go," Mr Fraser said.
"This had all the hallmarks of a boot ride."
Mr Fraser said Daniels left the scene before Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru were taken in a toolbox on the back of a HiLux and subject to a "truly shocking" alleged murder.
Prosecutor Nathan Crane previously told the jury the alleged victims, who were "good friends" were likely thrown into a nearby Scrubby Creek while still alive and trapped in the toolbox.
Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru had earlier been lured to a residential unit at Kingston, south of Brisbane, and were tortured before being forced into a large toolbox, Mr Crane said.
Mr Fraser told the jury they would not hear any evidence Daniels went to the creek.
Lars Falcongreen, defence barrister for Taiao, told the jury the "real battleground" for his client at trial was allegations he knew about any plans to kill.
Mr Falcongreen denied claims Taiao would have known death was a probable consequence of the alleged victims being put in a toolbox.
"It is a bit of a stretch that somebody would go down this homicide road when there was a plan to scare the hell out of (Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru)," he said.
Mr Crane previously told the jury Thrupp was allegedly at Scrubby Creek and either personally threw the toolbox into the water or was party to doing so.
Jessica Goldie, defence barrister for Thrupp, said it was not an issue that her client was at the Kingston unit, but claims he had the intent to kill would be contested.
"What happened at Scrubby Creek is really not clear. There is no definitive cause of death," she said.
Ms Goldie said witnesses who were due to testify against Thrupp had received " significant benefits" in their sentences for giving evidence.
"Are they credible? Are they trustworthy? Are they reliable?" she told the jury.
The trial continues before Justice Glenn Martin.
Two men accused of murder by drowning two people in a toolbox thought they were part of a non-fatal "boot ride" punishment common among drug dealers, a jury has heard.
A third man accused of the double murder would be placed at the scene by witnesses who received reduced sentences, the jury also heard.
Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp are charged with murdering Cory Breton, 28, and Iuliana Triscaru, 31, south of Brisbane on January 24, 2016.
Police divers found the bodies of Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru in the box at the bottom of a lagoon two weeks later.
All three men pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at the start of their trial in the Queensland Supreme Court.
John Fraser, defence barrister for Daniels, told the jury during his opening address on Tuesday that his client thought he was taking part in a "boot ride", a common event in the world of drug users and dealers.
"It is where someone is put in the boot of a vehicle and given a scare and then let go," Mr Fraser said.
"This had all the hallmarks of a boot ride."
Mr Fraser said Daniels left the scene before Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru were taken in a toolbox on the back of a HiLux and subject to a "truly shocking" alleged murder.
Prosecutor Nathan Crane previously told the jury the alleged victims, who were "good friends" were likely thrown into a nearby Scrubby Creek while still alive and trapped in the toolbox.
Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru had earlier been lured to a residential unit at Kingston, south of Brisbane, and were tortured before being forced into a large toolbox, Mr Crane said.
Mr Fraser told the jury they would not hear any evidence Daniels went to the creek.
Lars Falcongreen, defence barrister for Taiao, told the jury the "real battleground" for his client at trial was allegations he knew about any plans to kill.
Mr Falcongreen denied claims Taiao would have known death was a probable consequence of the alleged victims being put in a toolbox.
"It is a bit of a stretch that somebody would go down this homicide road when there was a plan to scare the hell out of (Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru)," he said.
Mr Crane previously told the jury Thrupp was allegedly at Scrubby Creek and either personally threw the toolbox into the water or was party to doing so.
Jessica Goldie, defence barrister for Thrupp, said it was not an issue that her client was at the Kingston unit, but claims he had the intent to kill would be contested.
"What happened at Scrubby Creek is really not clear. There is no definitive cause of death," she said.
Ms Goldie said witnesses who were due to testify against Thrupp had received " significant benefits" in their sentences for giving evidence.
"Are they credible? Are they trustworthy? Are they reliable?" she told the jury.
The trial continues before Justice Glenn Martin.
Two men accused of murder by drowning two people in a toolbox thought they were part of a non-fatal "boot ride" punishment common among drug dealers, a jury has heard.
A third man accused of the double murder would be placed at the scene by witnesses who received reduced sentences, the jury also heard.
Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp are charged with murdering Cory Breton, 28, and Iuliana Triscaru, 31, south of Brisbane on January 24, 2016.
Police divers found the bodies of Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru in the box at the bottom of a lagoon two weeks later.
All three men pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at the start of their trial in the Queensland Supreme Court.
John Fraser, defence barrister for Daniels, told the jury during his opening address on Tuesday that his client thought he was taking part in a "boot ride", a common event in the world of drug users and dealers.
"It is where someone is put in the boot of a vehicle and given a scare and then let go," Mr Fraser said.
"This had all the hallmarks of a boot ride."
Mr Fraser said Daniels left the scene before Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru were taken in a toolbox on the back of a HiLux and subject to a "truly shocking" alleged murder.
Prosecutor Nathan Crane previously told the jury the alleged victims, who were "good friends" were likely thrown into a nearby Scrubby Creek while still alive and trapped in the toolbox.
Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru had earlier been lured to a residential unit at Kingston, south of Brisbane, and were tortured before being forced into a large toolbox, Mr Crane said.
Mr Fraser told the jury they would not hear any evidence Daniels went to the creek.
Lars Falcongreen, defence barrister for Taiao, told the jury the "real battleground" for his client at trial was allegations he knew about any plans to kill.
Mr Falcongreen denied claims Taiao would have known death was a probable consequence of the alleged victims being put in a toolbox.
"It is a bit of a stretch that somebody would go down this homicide road when there was a plan to scare the hell out of (Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru)," he said.
Mr Crane previously told the jury Thrupp was allegedly at Scrubby Creek and either personally threw the toolbox into the water or was party to doing so.
Jessica Goldie, defence barrister for Thrupp, said it was not an issue that her client was at the Kingston unit, but claims he had the intent to kill would be contested.
"What happened at Scrubby Creek is really not clear. There is no definitive cause of death," she said.
Ms Goldie said witnesses who were due to testify against Thrupp had received " significant benefits" in their sentences for giving evidence.
"Are they credible? Are they trustworthy? Are they reliable?" she told the jury.
The trial continues before Justice Glenn Martin.
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The Advertiser
19 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Trio guilty again over 'torturous' toolbox murders
For hours, three men played video games and drank whiskey as Cory Breton and Iuliana Triscaru lay bound in a toolbox nearby. The pair had been beaten, stabbed and choked before they were stuffed into the two metre-long container. They were likely "screaming for their lives" when the toolbox was later dumped in a lagoon south of Brisbane in January 2016. Almost 10 years later, Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp were found guilty of the pair's murder for a second time. They faced a retrial in Brisbane after the Court of Appeal set aside murder convictions in July 2024. Mr Breton, 28, and Ms Triscaru, 31, had been lured to a residential unit at Kingston, south of Brisbane, before being attacked by a group of men. "It was torturous. They were assaulted when they arrived and throughout the day ... while bound with cable ties and duct tape," Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane told the weeks-long trial that concluded with Friday's verdicts. They were attacked, interrogated and threatened over a drug dealing dispute. When Ngatokoona Mareiti arrived at the unit to buy drugs, Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru were sitting bound on the couch. Sent away to buy whiskey, by the time Mareiti returned she could not see the pair and assumed they were in the toolbox at the unit. They drank and played video games as the bound pair were held captive in the container nearby. "We drank the alcohol … they had a PlayStation there," Mareiti told the jury. Cloths and bleach used to clean bloodstains in the unit were thrown into the toolbox before it was taken away with Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru still inside. The terrified pair made so much noise as the container was being moved, music from an awaiting ute was turned up in a bid to conceal it. "The transition of the toolbox to a HiLux utility vehicle attracted attention from those present at the unit complex - there was noise emanating from the toolbox," Mr Crane said. "There was music used from the HiLux to cover up the sound." Thrupp either threw the toolbox weighed down by concrete into nearby Scrubby Creek or was present when it happened, Mr Crane said. Daniels and Taiao were also liable for murder by forcing the victims into the toolbox hours before their deaths, he said. Police divers found the bodies locked in the toolbox submerged in the creek two weeks later. "Most likely the two ... were alive and screaming for their lives when they were placed in the creek," Justice Peter Davis said in 2020 when sentencing Tuhirangi-Thomas Tahiata, who drove the ute to the creek. "It is haunting to imagine the moment that the toolbox slipped under the water, plunging the night into silence." Daniels, Taiao and Thrupp each pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder at their retrial. The jury on Friday returned its verdict after deliberating since 10.45am Wednesday. The trio will be sentenced on Thursday. Overall seven men and a woman were charged over what became known as the "toolbox murders". Tahiata received a life sentence for murder, unsuccessfully appealing the conviction in April 2024. Mareiti, Webbstar Latu, Tepuna Tupuna Mariri and Waylon Ngaketo Cowan Walker were found guilty of manslaughter. However, Walker had his convictions overturned in July 2024. For hours, three men played video games and drank whiskey as Cory Breton and Iuliana Triscaru lay bound in a toolbox nearby. The pair had been beaten, stabbed and choked before they were stuffed into the two metre-long container. They were likely "screaming for their lives" when the toolbox was later dumped in a lagoon south of Brisbane in January 2016. Almost 10 years later, Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp were found guilty of the pair's murder for a second time. They faced a retrial in Brisbane after the Court of Appeal set aside murder convictions in July 2024. Mr Breton, 28, and Ms Triscaru, 31, had been lured to a residential unit at Kingston, south of Brisbane, before being attacked by a group of men. "It was torturous. They were assaulted when they arrived and throughout the day ... while bound with cable ties and duct tape," Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane told the weeks-long trial that concluded with Friday's verdicts. They were attacked, interrogated and threatened over a drug dealing dispute. When Ngatokoona Mareiti arrived at the unit to buy drugs, Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru were sitting bound on the couch. Sent away to buy whiskey, by the time Mareiti returned she could not see the pair and assumed they were in the toolbox at the unit. They drank and played video games as the bound pair were held captive in the container nearby. "We drank the alcohol … they had a PlayStation there," Mareiti told the jury. Cloths and bleach used to clean bloodstains in the unit were thrown into the toolbox before it was taken away with Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru still inside. The terrified pair made so much noise as the container was being moved, music from an awaiting ute was turned up in a bid to conceal it. "The transition of the toolbox to a HiLux utility vehicle attracted attention from those present at the unit complex - there was noise emanating from the toolbox," Mr Crane said. "There was music used from the HiLux to cover up the sound." Thrupp either threw the toolbox weighed down by concrete into nearby Scrubby Creek or was present when it happened, Mr Crane said. Daniels and Taiao were also liable for murder by forcing the victims into the toolbox hours before their deaths, he said. Police divers found the bodies locked in the toolbox submerged in the creek two weeks later. "Most likely the two ... were alive and screaming for their lives when they were placed in the creek," Justice Peter Davis said in 2020 when sentencing Tuhirangi-Thomas Tahiata, who drove the ute to the creek. "It is haunting to imagine the moment that the toolbox slipped under the water, plunging the night into silence." Daniels, Taiao and Thrupp each pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder at their retrial. The jury on Friday returned its verdict after deliberating since 10.45am Wednesday. The trio will be sentenced on Thursday. Overall seven men and a woman were charged over what became known as the "toolbox murders". Tahiata received a life sentence for murder, unsuccessfully appealing the conviction in April 2024. Mareiti, Webbstar Latu, Tepuna Tupuna Mariri and Waylon Ngaketo Cowan Walker were found guilty of manslaughter. However, Walker had his convictions overturned in July 2024. For hours, three men played video games and drank whiskey as Cory Breton and Iuliana Triscaru lay bound in a toolbox nearby. The pair had been beaten, stabbed and choked before they were stuffed into the two metre-long container. They were likely "screaming for their lives" when the toolbox was later dumped in a lagoon south of Brisbane in January 2016. Almost 10 years later, Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp were found guilty of the pair's murder for a second time. They faced a retrial in Brisbane after the Court of Appeal set aside murder convictions in July 2024. Mr Breton, 28, and Ms Triscaru, 31, had been lured to a residential unit at Kingston, south of Brisbane, before being attacked by a group of men. "It was torturous. They were assaulted when they arrived and throughout the day ... while bound with cable ties and duct tape," Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane told the weeks-long trial that concluded with Friday's verdicts. They were attacked, interrogated and threatened over a drug dealing dispute. When Ngatokoona Mareiti arrived at the unit to buy drugs, Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru were sitting bound on the couch. Sent away to buy whiskey, by the time Mareiti returned she could not see the pair and assumed they were in the toolbox at the unit. They drank and played video games as the bound pair were held captive in the container nearby. "We drank the alcohol … they had a PlayStation there," Mareiti told the jury. Cloths and bleach used to clean bloodstains in the unit were thrown into the toolbox before it was taken away with Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru still inside. The terrified pair made so much noise as the container was being moved, music from an awaiting ute was turned up in a bid to conceal it. "The transition of the toolbox to a HiLux utility vehicle attracted attention from those present at the unit complex - there was noise emanating from the toolbox," Mr Crane said. "There was music used from the HiLux to cover up the sound." Thrupp either threw the toolbox weighed down by concrete into nearby Scrubby Creek or was present when it happened, Mr Crane said. Daniels and Taiao were also liable for murder by forcing the victims into the toolbox hours before their deaths, he said. Police divers found the bodies locked in the toolbox submerged in the creek two weeks later. "Most likely the two ... were alive and screaming for their lives when they were placed in the creek," Justice Peter Davis said in 2020 when sentencing Tuhirangi-Thomas Tahiata, who drove the ute to the creek. "It is haunting to imagine the moment that the toolbox slipped under the water, plunging the night into silence." Daniels, Taiao and Thrupp each pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder at their retrial. The jury on Friday returned its verdict after deliberating since 10.45am Wednesday. The trio will be sentenced on Thursday. Overall seven men and a woman were charged over what became known as the "toolbox murders". Tahiata received a life sentence for murder, unsuccessfully appealing the conviction in April 2024. Mareiti, Webbstar Latu, Tepuna Tupuna Mariri and Waylon Ngaketo Cowan Walker were found guilty of manslaughter. However, Walker had his convictions overturned in July 2024. For hours, three men played video games and drank whiskey as Cory Breton and Iuliana Triscaru lay bound in a toolbox nearby. The pair had been beaten, stabbed and choked before they were stuffed into the two metre-long container. They were likely "screaming for their lives" when the toolbox was later dumped in a lagoon south of Brisbane in January 2016. Almost 10 years later, Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp were found guilty of the pair's murder for a second time. They faced a retrial in Brisbane after the Court of Appeal set aside murder convictions in July 2024. Mr Breton, 28, and Ms Triscaru, 31, had been lured to a residential unit at Kingston, south of Brisbane, before being attacked by a group of men. "It was torturous. They were assaulted when they arrived and throughout the day ... while bound with cable ties and duct tape," Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane told the weeks-long trial that concluded with Friday's verdicts. They were attacked, interrogated and threatened over a drug dealing dispute. When Ngatokoona Mareiti arrived at the unit to buy drugs, Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru were sitting bound on the couch. Sent away to buy whiskey, by the time Mareiti returned she could not see the pair and assumed they were in the toolbox at the unit. They drank and played video games as the bound pair were held captive in the container nearby. "We drank the alcohol … they had a PlayStation there," Mareiti told the jury. Cloths and bleach used to clean bloodstains in the unit were thrown into the toolbox before it was taken away with Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru still inside. The terrified pair made so much noise as the container was being moved, music from an awaiting ute was turned up in a bid to conceal it. "The transition of the toolbox to a HiLux utility vehicle attracted attention from those present at the unit complex - there was noise emanating from the toolbox," Mr Crane said. "There was music used from the HiLux to cover up the sound." Thrupp either threw the toolbox weighed down by concrete into nearby Scrubby Creek or was present when it happened, Mr Crane said. Daniels and Taiao were also liable for murder by forcing the victims into the toolbox hours before their deaths, he said. Police divers found the bodies locked in the toolbox submerged in the creek two weeks later. "Most likely the two ... were alive and screaming for their lives when they were placed in the creek," Justice Peter Davis said in 2020 when sentencing Tuhirangi-Thomas Tahiata, who drove the ute to the creek. "It is haunting to imagine the moment that the toolbox slipped under the water, plunging the night into silence." Daniels, Taiao and Thrupp each pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder at their retrial. The jury on Friday returned its verdict after deliberating since 10.45am Wednesday. The trio will be sentenced on Thursday. Overall seven men and a woman were charged over what became known as the "toolbox murders". Tahiata received a life sentence for murder, unsuccessfully appealing the conviction in April 2024. Mareiti, Webbstar Latu, Tepuna Tupuna Mariri and Waylon Ngaketo Cowan Walker were found guilty of manslaughter. However, Walker had his convictions overturned in July 2024.
7NEWS
12-06-2025
- 7NEWS
Queensland nurse who hid $1.7m drug money under bed spared jail
An assistant nurse caught with almost $2 million in drug money under her bed has been spared jail. Jannine Williams, 35, pleaded guilty in Queensland Supreme Court on Thursday to one count of dealing in the proceeds of crime worth $1 million or more. Crown prosecutor Patrick Wilson told Justice Peter Callaghan that Williams — a pediatric intensive care assistant nurse — was not accused of taking part in drug crimes herself. 'Williams possessed just over $1.7 million in a duffle bag under her bed on behalf of her (now former) partner,' Mr Wilson said. Wilson said there was evidence of discussions that showed Williams had some knowledge of her former partner's involvement with shipments of cocaine up to 150kg. 'There was discussion of $2.2 million, and reference to vacuum sealing the money and storing it somewhere else,' Wilson said. 'They had a conversation about a very large quantity of drugs: 150kg. 'There was talk of the risk of prison, making it abundantly clear this was a serious criminal enterprise.' Police found the money on July 22, 2022 in Williams' apartment in the inner-Brisbane suburb of West End. Justice Callaghan heard Williams initially denied knowledge of the money to police. Williams had spoken about having to ignore the $1 million under her bed and needing to lock her apartment every time she left, Wilson said. Defence barrister Mark McCarthy said Williams was an Australian citizen who was born in the UK and had no prior criminal record. 'She has had a long career in a pediatric intensive care unit in the local hospital. She is a valued team member,' he said. 'This was clearly out of character. But for her relationship she would never be involved in anything like this. 'She is extremely unlikely to be involved in anything criminal again.' McCarthy said Williams had been in a 'destructive relationship' and had little choice at the time but to tolerate having the money under her bed. 'She received no benefit from the cash,' he said. Justice Callaghan said it was incongruous to see someone with Williams' history of working to better the community end up in criminal court and facing the prospect of jail. 'The sentence I am about to pass will have an impact on your prospects of employment,' Justice Callaghan said. 'It is to be hoped there is a discretion to be exercised by those who decide these things, and it will be exercised fairly and responsibly.' Williams was sentenced to three years' imprisonment but ordered to be immediately released on a $1000 good behaviour bond. She broke down crying and was comforted by her parents after the sentence was handed down.
Perth Now
12-06-2025
- Perth Now
Nurse who hid $1.7m drug money under bed spared jail
An assistant nurse caught with almost $2 million in drug money under her bed has been spared jail. Jannine Williams, 35, pleaded guilty in Queensland Supreme Court on Thursday to one count of dealing in the proceeds of crime worth $1 million or more. Crown prosecutor Patrick Wilson told Justice Peter Callaghan that Williams - a pediatric intensive care assistant nurse - was not accused of taking part in drug crimes herself. "Williams possessed just over $1.7 million in a duffle bag under her bed on behalf of her (now former) partner," Mr Wilson said. Mr Wilson said there was evidence of discussions that showed Williams had some knowledge of her former partner's involvement with shipments of cocaine up to 150kg. "There was discussion of $2.2 million, and reference to vacuum sealing the money and storing it somewhere else," Mr Wilson said. "They had a conversation about a very large quantity of drugs: 150kg. "There was talk of the risk of prison, making it abundantly clear this was a serious criminal enterprise." Police found the money on July 22, 2022 in Williams' apartment in the inner-Brisbane suburb of West End. Justice Callaghan heard Williams initially denied knowledge of the money to police. Williams had spoken about having to ignore the $1 million under her bed and needing to lock her apartment every time she left, Mr Wilson said. Defence barrister Mark McCarthy said Williams was an Australian citizen who was born in the UK and had no prior criminal record. "She has had a long career in a pediatric intensive care unit in the local hospital. She is a valued team member," he said. "This was clearly out of character. But for her relationship she would never be involved in anything like this. "She is extremely unlikely to be involved in anything criminal again." Mr McCarthy said Williams had been in a "destructive relationship" and had little choice at the time but to tolerate having the money under her bed. "She received no benefit from the cash," he said. Justice Callaghan said it was incongruous to see someone with Williams' history of working to better the community end up in criminal court and facing the prospect of jail. "The sentence I am about to pass will have an impact on your prospects of employment," Justice Callaghan said. "It is to be hoped there is a discretion to be exercised by those who decide these things, and it will be exercised fairly and responsibly." Williams was sentenced to three years' imprisonment but ordered to be immediately released on a $1000 good behaviour bond. She broke down crying and was comforted by her parents after the sentence was handed down.
