Our Journalists

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

Kayla Maree Ellison, 28, was sentenced to one year and six months with nine months non parole, suspended on a two year good behaviour bond. Picture: facebook

Mother caught smuggling drugs into prison learns fate

An Adelaide mother who smuggled drugs into jail for her then partner to “prove her love” has had her sentence handed down.

Lifestyle

December 18, 2024: Lizzie Flaherty, 31, has grieved through multiple unexpected tragedies as family members were diagnosed and some later died from cancer throughout her life and now it has become her lifeÃs motivation as a social worker. Picture: Kelly Barnes

‘Unplannable’: Huge twist behind Adelaide council library

Multiple unexpected tragedies led Lizzy to this Adelaide library – which is now opening up its doors in a way the city’s never seen.

Police & Courts

Passanger airplane flying above clouds in evening. Plane in the skyESCAPE 5 June 2022 News

SA pilot for top airline on serious child sex charges

A South Australian pilot who flies for one of the world’s top airlines has been charged with abusing a young girl and recording it.

SA News

Kate Sylvia who died of a brain issue after being sent home from a GP and told to take Panadol. Picture: Supplied by Family

‘Conflicting info’: Paramedic didn’t see stroke patient’s symptom

A paramedic has told an inquest into a young stroke woman’s death he never saw a “red-flag” symptom – but never planned to leave her alone.

Police & Courts

Waikerie man Jordan Fisher has faced court over an alleged hit and run atFreeling. Picture: Facebook

Hit-run driver lost licence 15 times in 9 years – now he’s jailed

A man with an appalling driving record has been jailed for sideswiping a motorcyclist in a hit-run crash – leaving him to lose his leg.

Mount Gambier

Coroners (AMC 25) - Kate Sylvia inquest, woman who died of a brain issue after being sent home from a GP and told to take Panadol. Giving evidence in the inquest today is the doctor who told Kate's mum it was just a migraine and she should be taken home. Dr Lyall Henderson leaves the inquest. 11th December 2024. Picture Brett Hartwig

Weeping doc says young woman should have gone to emergency

An Adelaide doctor has broken down on the stand during an inquest into the death of a young woman, saying he ‘wasn’t told vital information’.

Police & Courts

Richard Karl Kaye has been charged with drug trafficking after police allegedly located 10kg of cannabis in his possession. Pictures: Facebook

Alleged drug-trafficking dad dumps lawyer, reveals horror time in custody

A Queensland father accused of flying to Adelaide to traffic 10kg of cannabis has dumped his lawyer, telling a court he’s not having a good time in prison.

SA News

Kate Sylvia who died of a brain issue after being sent home from a GP and told to take Panadol. With her mum Katheryn Sylvia. Picture: Supplied by Family

‘Sorry, dying on bathroom floor’: Private school worker’s final text

A doctor told a young woman she was too young to be having a stroke, a court has heard – as one of her final, harrowing texts was read out.

updatedPolice & Courts

South Australian police have arrested a bikie wearing a Comanchero OMCG vest after he failed to stop for police. He was later found to be in possession of a loaded pistol and a quantity of methamphetamine. Picture: SAPOL

Alleged bikie in court after Sunday arvo police chase

An alleged Comanchero bikie has faced court after a police pursuit and raid turned up meth and a loaded gun.

North & North East

Kym Bicknell, 36, pleads not guilty to alleged Modbury Hospital assault on nurse, 91-year-old.

‘Nah, not guilty’ plea correction as alleged hospital assaulter in court

A 36-year-old man’s alleged violent outburst at an Adelaide hospital resulted in his arrest, and now after some strange mid-hearing statements, he will face trial flagging a mental incompetence defence.

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