Our Journalists

Leah SmithMessenger reporter

Leah Smith is a reporter with The Advertiser and The Messenger. She covers general news with a specialisation in search and trends, as well as courts and councils in the northern suburbs. She began her career in 2023 after graduating from the University of South Australia.

Leah Smith

Latest

Police & Courts

Dad to face trial over 10kg cannabis haul near Adelaide Oval

A man allegedly busted with more than 10kgs of weed near Adelaide Oval during a overnight trip to SA will go to trial.

Police & Courts

pole cam of the human trafficker Cristhian David Diaz Suarez arriving at Magistrates court. Picture 7NEWS

‘Locked in cupboards’: Alleged slaver wants case thrown out

A man who allegedly held a youth group in “inhumane” slavery in Adelaide wants his case dismissed – as his co-accused pleads not guilty.

Police & Courts

Lachlan Pike-Wills is charged with the violent home invasion. Photo: Facebook

Man charged over two suburban shootings, a day apart

A man allegedly involved in a violent home invasion is now also charged over a second shooting – and was pictured holding the gun used both times, a court heard.

Police & Courts

Mark Michael Mullet, 41 from Salisbury East, leaves the Adelaide Magistrates Court after appearing for the first time charges with 3D printed guns, ammo and pyrotechnics located at his home and in his luggage at Darwin Airport. Picture: Leah Smith

Gun-maker brought guns through airport after test-fire experiment

An Adelaide man has been sentenced after bringing two loaded guns through an airport after mailing them, piece by piece, across the country.

Police & Courts

The Magistrates Court building. 24 May 2025. Picture: Dean Martin

Adelaide man accused of child sex offences as his dog is seized

An Adelaide man will stand trial after pleading not guilty to vile allegations involving a teenage girl.

Lifestyle

Shuffled is a family-owned and run games store in Salisbury and Daw Park. Picture: Supplied

Listed: Inside Adelaide’s best tabletop gaming spots

Across dining tables and backrooms, gamers are coming together to swap screens for tabletops – with an impact we never saw coming.

North & North East

Markus Anthony Blake, 45, former owner of Kandy House is Parabanks shopping centre is facing criminal charges after allegedly threatening to kill his business partner. Picture: Many Rivers Australia/ Instagram

Not so sweet: Adelaide’s Kandy House co-owner in court

The former joint owner of “Adelaide’s largest candy shop” has appeared in court, charged over a wild knife threat made against his ex-business partner.

Police & Courts

Police say this car was used to kidnap a man from shops at Honeypot Rd at Huntfield Heights on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Picture: SAPOLPolice are seeking assistance from the public following an incident in the southern suburbs earlier this week. Crime Gangs Task Force Detectives are investigating a serious assault that occurred about 6.30pm on Tuesday 3 June. It will be alleged a man was taken by force from a retail shop on Honeypot Road at Huntfield Heights and driven around the area. Police will allege the victim, a 24-year-old man from Parafield Gardens, was assaulted by the occupants of a silver 2017 Mitsubishi Triton with a canopy (see picture), at Sports Park Drive, Morphett Vale. The man was taken by SAAS members to hospital, where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries. Following an investigation, Detectives arrested a 29-year-old man from Port Noarlunga, he was charged with aggravated assault and aggravated theft. He was granted police bail to appear in court at a later date. A 27-year-old man from Hackham was arrested and charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault and aggrav...

Named: Alleged bikie charged as man kidnapped from shops

An alleged Comanchero bikie has been charged alongside two other men after a man was allegedly “taken by force” from Adelaide shops and assaulted inside a ute.

Police & Courts

A 44-year-old man has been arrested after a bomb hoax at a Salisbury Plain fast-food restaurant., He allegedly left a bag inside after claiming it contained a bomb., McDonald’s staff and customers were forced to flee as the police bomb squad was called in to clear the scene and determine that there were no explosives in the bag. Picture: 7NEWS Adelaide

Bizarre move made by alleged Macca’s hoax bomber: court

A man who allegedly threatened to “bomb everyone” inside an Adelaide McDonald’s returned to use the self-serve menu, a court has heard.

Police & Courts

Gino Putu Pacino leaves District Court after being sentenced for drug trafficking. Picture: Leah Smith

Coke-dealing, self-proclaimed ‘sexiest criminal’ sentenced

He runs two barber shops and owns a clothing brand but it was his money making side hustle that got this 22 year old in trouble with the law.

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/journalists/leah-smith