Ipswich Court: Two charged over alleged Springfield Lakes weapons offences

Two people have now been charged with weapons and property offences after a woman ‘found herself between two quite violent people’.

Police have charged two people after alleged offences at Springfield Lakes. Picture: QPS

Police have charged a man over alleged weapons offences that a court heard occurred when an Ipswich woman “found herself between two quite violent people”.

El Salvador-born mother Aida Consuelo Argueta, 36, was charged and taken into custody last week over an incident allegedly involving a knife at Springfield Lakes.

Her charges include enter dwelling, dangerous conduct with a weapon, stealing, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and unlawful possession of a weapon (flick knife).

In her application for bail on Friday, Ipswich Magistrates Court heard the offences allegedly occurred about 1.50pm last Wednesday after Ms Argueta contacted her former partner for help in an incident with her new partner.

Defence lawyer John Wilson said his client had “found herself in a very difficult position” and had a “real fear” of her partner.

He noted Ms Argueta had an injury to her face at the time of the bail application – which appeared to be a bruise mark under her eye.

“She’s found herself between two quite violent people,” Mr Wilson said.

Aida Consuelo Argueta leaving Ipswich Courthouse in July, 2021. Picture: Ross Irby

Magistrate David Shepherd said after Ms Argueta called for help, it seemed her former partner then “decided to take things beyond coming and assisting her”.

The police attended Springfield Lakes that afternoon, after reports of an armed man.

The court heard Ms Argueta’s current partner was the alleged victim to some of the charges, and was not charged in relation to this incident.

It is understood police were searching for Ms Argueta’s former partner at the time of her arrest.

A police spokesperson confirmed on Monday morning that an Acacia Ridge man, 29, had since been charged with enter dwelling with intent, dangerous conduct with a weapon, stealing and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

He was expected to appear before Ipswich Magistrates Court on Monday, March 27, and his role in the offending is currently unknown.

During Ms Argueta’s bail application, Mr Shepherd said the evidence against her was in his view “somewhat limited”.

“There’s nothing to indicate that she asked for any of that to occur,” he said.

“Putting aside the last count about the knife found in the hotel room, the evidence that’s contained in the material … doesn’t really answer a number of questions in regards to the basis of her liability for these charges.”

Mr Wilson said his client was an “enabler” to the primary offending “at the highest”.

Ms Argueta was granted bail, and her matter was next scheduled for mention on April 21.

She had been in custody since a brief mention in the court on Thursday.