Kashya Ann Poyner pleads guilty to demanding property with menaces over Tinder date confrontation

A woman involved in a bizarre car theft where she wore a balaclava and helped abduct a teen girl with two men – one armed with a cane knife – broke down in tears as a judge sentenced her.

Kashya Ann Poyner yelled at those in the carjacking:“don’t move the f***ing car”. Picture: Facebook

A woman involved in the bizarre theft and abduction of a teen girl on a Tinder date broke down in tears after learning she would go free from custody after more than 18 months on remand.

Kashya Ann Poyner was involved in the “terrifying” incident where she and two men – wearing balaclavas and one armed with a cane knife – set on the duo at Mackay Harbour car park, demanding cash and phones, and prompting the girl’s date to drive off and leave her with the trio.

The couple were on a first date when, about midnight, Poyner approached in a vehicle and “parked them in”, before co-accused Aaron James Davis walked up holding the cane knife and said “where’s your money, where’s your phone”, Mackay District Court heard.

Poyner also yelled at them “don’t move the f***ing car”.

The victim, an 18-year-old girl, had got out of her date’s car when Davis approached.

The court heard her date drove off and called triple-0 leaving the girl in the car park with Poyner and an armed Davis, actions that drew ire from Judge John Coker who slammed the conduct.

“None of the men involved have covered themselves with any glory,” Judge Coker said.

“The complainant was abandoned by her date … he drove away.”

Judge Coker said it might have been “an appropriate step” because he called the police, “but to leave (the victim) behind was obviously disturbing for her and must have been quite terrifying”.

The court heard Poyner followed when the date drove off but returned to the car park and the group told the girl to get into their vehicle, saying “they couldn’t leave her there”.

Poyner sped on and even trying chasing down the girl’s date after spotting his vehicle but lost sight of him, so she took the victim to Davis’s house and told her “that she would hurt her if she went to the police”.

The court heard the police actually called the victim and Poyner spoke on her behalf saying she was okay, but threatened the victim not to say anything.

Kashya Ann Poyner threatened her victim, saying she would hurt her if she went to the police. Picture: Facebook

Poyner organised to drop the girl off at an IGA where she was picked up by her father and immediately taken to the police station.

“This would have been a terrifying ordeal for the (victim) to be confronted by three people, particularly one who’s holding a cane knife, at midnight and then to find herself left alone with them,” crown prosecutor Patrick Newman said.

Judge Coker accepted the victim “must have been incredibly traumatised by the offending”.

The court heard the third man with Poyner and Davis had not been charged.

Judge Coker said Davis and the third man told police Poyner was involved, “there appears to be little honour among thieves.”

Poyner, who is a 28-year-old mum, was initially charged with attempted robbery over the incident that was dropped for a lesser charge of demanding property with menaces, to which she pleaded guilty on Thursday.

The court heard Davis had already been sentenced on the same charge for his role and received 258 days jail.

Mr Newman said the same penalty should also be imposed on Poyner, who has spent 515 days on remand.

The court heard she still had multiple charges to be finalised in the magistrates court, which was expected to happen Friday and her lawyer told her she would be released.

Defence barrister Scott McLennan said his client suffered a “wildly prejudicial” childhood and had also many difficulties with her mental health over the years requiring hospitalisation.

Judge Coker accepted Poyner “has almost it would seem since the time that you came upon this earth experienced consequences and dreadful hurt and neglect”.

“As a result of that it is explanatory that you have found yourself in the dreadful situation that you now find yourself,” Judge Coker said.

“You are a victim as much as a perpetrator here … you have paid a significant price already.”

Since being in custody she had taken a number of “very positive steps” including rehabilitation programs such as drug treatment, parenting help, and domestic violence counselling.

She had also remained drug free and was completing a program to help with her meth use.

Judge Coker agreed it was appropriate for Poyner to receive the same sentence as Davis. She was jailed for 258 days, with immediate parole released after time already served.

A conviction was recorded.