Lynda Sue-Anne Hill pleads guilty to possession of handgun after search warrant

A woman who used to manage a clothing shop has had her secret firearm found by police during a raid.

Lynda Sue-Anne Hill faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday. Picture: Patrick Woods

A former women’s clothing shop manager has said she had a homemade handgun in her handbag as “personal protection” after it was found by police during a raid.

The “loaded” 3D-printed firearm was uncovered by officers as they scoured the home of Lynda Sue-Anne Hill on December 10 last year.

Maroochydore Magistrates Court was told details of the search warrant on Monday after the 44-year-old’s pleas of guilty to unlawful possession of a weapon, possessing dangerous drugs, authority required to possess explosives and possessing utensils.

Police prosecutor Jeanette Grigoris said officers conducted the warrant at the hinterland home late last year and spotted Hill outside.

Sergeant Grigoris said Hill tried to get back into the home but she was detained by police along with another man who was there.

The court was told during the search, police found an ice pipe, scales and two small marijuana plants, which Hill said was left there by a friend. She said she did not grow them, but knew they existed.

Hill outside court. Picture: Patrick Woods

It was when firearms and drug detecting dogs scoured the home they uncovered a 3D-printed handgun in a handbag in her bedroom.

Hill told police she received threatening messages from an unknown number and carried the weapon for her own “personal protection”.

Sergeant Grigoris said the 44-year-old admitted to not telling police about the threatening communication, with officers finding multiple rounds of ammunition in the handle ready for loading.

The police prosecutor told the court Hill, who had a criminal history that included drug trafficking, had a “loaded handgun” for “no real reason” and asked for a jail sentence.

Hill (white boots) pleaded guilty to all charges. Picture: Patrick Woods

Defence solicitor Laura Nightingale said Hill, a mother of several children, came from a prejudicial upbringing and battled drug use in the past decade.

Ms Nightingale said her client was clean from drugs in the past several years and previously worked at Rockmans Kawana Waters before she stopped work due to being the victim of a domestic violence incident.

The solicitor said Hill became fearful of the perpetrator after his release from jail which is why she had the weapon.

She said the 44-year-old continued to get counselling for drugs after relapsing.

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist jailed Hill 12 for months’, but released her on immediate parole.