'Drinks and gaming' before toolbox murders, jury hears
Three men accused of murder by drowning two people in a toolbox drank whiskey and played video games while they held their alleged victims captive, a jury has heard.
Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp are charged with murdering Cory Breton, 28, and Iuliana Triscaru, 31, at Kingston in Logan, south of Brisbane, on January 24, 2016.
Ngatokoona Mareiti on Thursday told a Queensland Supreme Court jury she went to a Kingston residential unit to buy drugs, arriving a few hours before the alleged murders, and saw Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru on a couch.
The jury heard Daniels asked Mareiti to go out to buy Jack Daniel's whiskey and she went to two shops to find that brand.
"We drank the alcohol … they had a PlayStation there," she said.
Mareiti said when she returned to the unit she could hear Ms Triscaru calling out from inside the toolbox and she assumed Mr Breton was in there too.
"I couldn't see him in the unit," she said.
The jury heard Mareiti had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter over the pair's deaths.
Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane previously told the jury he would allege Daniels and Taiao were liable for murder by forcing the alleged victims into the toolbox at the unit at Kingston in the hours before their death.
Thrupp either threw the toolbox into nearby Scrubby Creek or was present when it happened, Mr Crane said.
Police divers found the pair's remains in the toolbox two weeks later.
Earlier on Thursday, Lelan Harrington testified he was not present when the toolbox was thrown into the water.
Defence barrister for Thrupp, Jessica Goldie, asked Mr Harrington if he was lying when he said her client told him he killed the alleged victims.
"I suggest to you at no stage has Mr Thrupp ever made comments to you about shooting Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru and you just completely made that up," Ms Goldie said.
"No, that's exactly what he said," Mr Harrington said.
Ms Goldie asked Mr Harrington about his previous statement that, hypothetically, he would have shot the pair in the head.
"That is the truth, isn't it? You are responsible for what happened to Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru?" Ms Goldie said.
"No," Mr Harrington said.
Mr Harrington accepted he was given a suspended sentence for detaining and assaulting Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru after agreeing to give evidence for the prosecution.
He admitted lying to investigators in February 2016 to conceal the defendants' alleged suspicion the alleged victims were informing police about their drug dealing.
"Yes, I did lie for them so they did not go to jail," Mr Harrington said.
All three defendants pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at the start of their trial on Monday.
During his second day giving evidence, Mr Harrington, a flatmate to some of the defendants, continued being cross-examined by defence barristers.
He admitted he initially lied to police in an effort to protect his friend, named as a chief offender by Mr Crane, from being charged with murder.
"I said 'f*** it' and then told the truth," Mr Harrington said.
He denied holding a grudge against Mr Breton over claims he assaulted someone close to him when they could not pay for drugs.
Mr Harrington told the jury he was sure about his testimony about Taiao assaulting Ms Triscaru.
"You saw a cable tie placed around her neck by my client?" barrister Lars Falcongreen said.
"I have got a clear picture of that," Mr Harrington said.
Three men accused of murder by drowning two people in a toolbox drank whiskey and played video games while they held their alleged victims captive, a jury has heard.
Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp are charged with murdering Cory Breton, 28, and Iuliana Triscaru, 31, at Kingston in Logan, south of Brisbane, on January 24, 2016.
Ngatokoona Mareiti on Thursday told a Queensland Supreme Court jury she went to a Kingston residential unit to buy drugs, arriving a few hours before the alleged murders, and saw Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru on a couch.
The jury heard Daniels asked Mareiti to go out to buy Jack Daniel's whiskey and she went to two shops to find that brand.
"We drank the alcohol … they had a PlayStation there," she said.
Mareiti said when she returned to the unit she could hear Ms Triscaru calling out from inside the toolbox and she assumed Mr Breton was in there too.
"I couldn't see him in the unit," she said.
The jury heard Mareiti had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter over the pair's deaths.
Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane previously told the jury he would allege Daniels and Taiao were liable for murder by forcing the alleged victims into the toolbox at the unit at Kingston in the hours before their death.
Thrupp either threw the toolbox into nearby Scrubby Creek or was present when it happened, Mr Crane said.
Police divers found the pair's remains in the toolbox two weeks later.
Earlier on Thursday, Lelan Harrington testified he was not present when the toolbox was thrown into the water.
Defence barrister for Thrupp, Jessica Goldie, asked Mr Harrington if he was lying when he said her client told him he killed the alleged victims.
"I suggest to you at no stage has Mr Thrupp ever made comments to you about shooting Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru and you just completely made that up," Ms Goldie said.
"No, that's exactly what he said," Mr Harrington said.
Ms Goldie asked Mr Harrington about his previous statement that, hypothetically, he would have shot the pair in the head.
"That is the truth, isn't it? You are responsible for what happened to Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru?" Ms Goldie said.
"No," Mr Harrington said.
Mr Harrington accepted he was given a suspended sentence for detaining and assaulting Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru after agreeing to give evidence for the prosecution.
He admitted lying to investigators in February 2016 to conceal the defendants' alleged suspicion the alleged victims were informing police about their drug dealing.
"Yes, I did lie for them so they did not go to jail," Mr Harrington said.
All three defendants pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at the start of their trial on Monday.
During his second day giving evidence, Mr Harrington, a flatmate to some of the defendants, continued being cross-examined by defence barristers.
He admitted he initially lied to police in an effort to protect his friend, named as a chief offender by Mr Crane, from being charged with murder.
"I said 'f*** it' and then told the truth," Mr Harrington said.
He denied holding a grudge against Mr Breton over claims he assaulted someone close to him when they could not pay for drugs.
Mr Harrington told the jury he was sure about his testimony about Taiao assaulting Ms Triscaru.
"You saw a cable tie placed around her neck by my client?" barrister Lars Falcongreen said.
"I have got a clear picture of that," Mr Harrington said.
Three men accused of murder by drowning two people in a toolbox drank whiskey and played video games while they held their alleged victims captive, a jury has heard.
Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp are charged with murdering Cory Breton, 28, and Iuliana Triscaru, 31, at Kingston in Logan, south of Brisbane, on January 24, 2016.
Ngatokoona Mareiti on Thursday told a Queensland Supreme Court jury she went to a Kingston residential unit to buy drugs, arriving a few hours before the alleged murders, and saw Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru on a couch.
The jury heard Daniels asked Mareiti to go out to buy Jack Daniel's whiskey and she went to two shops to find that brand.
"We drank the alcohol … they had a PlayStation there," she said.
Mareiti said when she returned to the unit she could hear Ms Triscaru calling out from inside the toolbox and she assumed Mr Breton was in there too.
"I couldn't see him in the unit," she said.
The jury heard Mareiti had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter over the pair's deaths.
Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane previously told the jury he would allege Daniels and Taiao were liable for murder by forcing the alleged victims into the toolbox at the unit at Kingston in the hours before their death.
Thrupp either threw the toolbox into nearby Scrubby Creek or was present when it happened, Mr Crane said.
Police divers found the pair's remains in the toolbox two weeks later.
Earlier on Thursday, Lelan Harrington testified he was not present when the toolbox was thrown into the water.
Defence barrister for Thrupp, Jessica Goldie, asked Mr Harrington if he was lying when he said her client told him he killed the alleged victims.
"I suggest to you at no stage has Mr Thrupp ever made comments to you about shooting Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru and you just completely made that up," Ms Goldie said.
"No, that's exactly what he said," Mr Harrington said.
Ms Goldie asked Mr Harrington about his previous statement that, hypothetically, he would have shot the pair in the head.
"That is the truth, isn't it? You are responsible for what happened to Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru?" Ms Goldie said.
"No," Mr Harrington said.
Mr Harrington accepted he was given a suspended sentence for detaining and assaulting Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru after agreeing to give evidence for the prosecution.
He admitted lying to investigators in February 2016 to conceal the defendants' alleged suspicion the alleged victims were informing police about their drug dealing.
"Yes, I did lie for them so they did not go to jail," Mr Harrington said.
All three defendants pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at the start of their trial on Monday.
During his second day giving evidence, Mr Harrington, a flatmate to some of the defendants, continued being cross-examined by defence barristers.
He admitted he initially lied to police in an effort to protect his friend, named as a chief offender by Mr Crane, from being charged with murder.
"I said 'f*** it' and then told the truth," Mr Harrington said.
He denied holding a grudge against Mr Breton over claims he assaulted someone close to him when they could not pay for drugs.
Mr Harrington told the jury he was sure about his testimony about Taiao assaulting Ms Triscaru.
"You saw a cable tie placed around her neck by my client?" barrister Lars Falcongreen said.
"I have got a clear picture of that," Mr Harrington said.
Three men accused of murder by drowning two people in a toolbox drank whiskey and played video games while they held their alleged victims captive, a jury has heard.
Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp are charged with murdering Cory Breton, 28, and Iuliana Triscaru, 31, at Kingston in Logan, south of Brisbane, on January 24, 2016.
Ngatokoona Mareiti on Thursday told a Queensland Supreme Court jury she went to a Kingston residential unit to buy drugs, arriving a few hours before the alleged murders, and saw Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru on a couch.
The jury heard Daniels asked Mareiti to go out to buy Jack Daniel's whiskey and she went to two shops to find that brand.
"We drank the alcohol … they had a PlayStation there," she said.
Mareiti said when she returned to the unit she could hear Ms Triscaru calling out from inside the toolbox and she assumed Mr Breton was in there too.
"I couldn't see him in the unit," she said.
The jury heard Mareiti had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter over the pair's deaths.
Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane previously told the jury he would allege Daniels and Taiao were liable for murder by forcing the alleged victims into the toolbox at the unit at Kingston in the hours before their death.
Thrupp either threw the toolbox into nearby Scrubby Creek or was present when it happened, Mr Crane said.
Police divers found the pair's remains in the toolbox two weeks later.
Earlier on Thursday, Lelan Harrington testified he was not present when the toolbox was thrown into the water.
Defence barrister for Thrupp, Jessica Goldie, asked Mr Harrington if he was lying when he said her client told him he killed the alleged victims.
"I suggest to you at no stage has Mr Thrupp ever made comments to you about shooting Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru and you just completely made that up," Ms Goldie said.
"No, that's exactly what he said," Mr Harrington said.
Ms Goldie asked Mr Harrington about his previous statement that, hypothetically, he would have shot the pair in the head.
"That is the truth, isn't it? You are responsible for what happened to Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru?" Ms Goldie said.
"No," Mr Harrington said.
Mr Harrington accepted he was given a suspended sentence for detaining and assaulting Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru after agreeing to give evidence for the prosecution.
He admitted lying to investigators in February 2016 to conceal the defendants' alleged suspicion the alleged victims were informing police about their drug dealing.
"Yes, I did lie for them so they did not go to jail," Mr Harrington said.
All three defendants pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at the start of their trial on Monday.
During his second day giving evidence, Mr Harrington, a flatmate to some of the defendants, continued being cross-examined by defence barristers.
He admitted he initially lied to police in an effort to protect his friend, named as a chief offender by Mr Crane, from being charged with murder.
"I said 'f*** it' and then told the truth," Mr Harrington said.
He denied holding a grudge against Mr Breton over claims he assaulted someone close to him when they could not pay for drugs.
Mr Harrington told the jury he was sure about his testimony about Taiao assaulting Ms Triscaru.
"You saw a cable tie placed around her neck by my client?" barrister Lars Falcongreen said.
"I have got a clear picture of that," Mr Harrington said.
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The Advertiser
21 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.
