Police officer, legal secretary give evidence in Supreme Court

A man’s allegations against an aspiring solicitor have been revealed in the Supreme Court.

BRISBANE , AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - BRISBANE , JUNE 24 2024: Generic photo of the scales of justice stature outside Brisbane Supreme Court in the Brisbane CBD. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

The details of a Sunshine Coast man’s attempt to derail the career of an aspiring solicitor, after he uncovered her relationship with a police officer, have been revealed in the Supreme Court.

The hearing for Chanel Sousa’s application was held at the Supreme Court of Queensland last month, with the findings delivered on Tuesday, April 1.

The court documents state Benjamin Millmann objected to Ms Sousa’s admission as a solicitor, on “three separate bases” after he learnt of her relationship with a police officer who had attended his home.

Mr Millmann alleged Ms Sousa used her relationship with police officer, Senior Constable Seth Gilson, to gain information about the matters he had before the Maroochydore Magistrates Court.

Ms Sousa had worked as a secretary at a firm that represented the complainant in Mr Millmann’s matters where he was the respondent.

According to the court’s decision, he also alleged that she created a false stalking allegation against him and that Senior Constable Gilson and Ms Sousa colluded to have him remanded in custody.

Ms Sousa’s former employer at Chomley Family Law told the court Ms Sousa had only ever done administration work on the file regarding the complainant in Mr Millmann’s case.

Senior Constable Gilson also told the court he had never given information to Ms Sousa regarding the case and he was shocked to learn Mr Millmann knew who she was and that she was applying to become a solicitor.

According to the court documents, Senior Constable Gilson alleged Mr Millmann said to him, “‘I know who you are – your girlfriend is. I know she’s a – applied to be a solicitor. I have 14 days to object to that, which I am going to do’, or words to that effect”.

Supreme Court Judge Tom Sullivan said he did not agree with all three of Mr Millmann’s claims.

“Ultimately, I find that Ms Sousa did not use her relationship with Mr Seth Gilson, a police officer, to receive information obtained in the course of a police investigation, in order to establish a relationship between her former employer and the objector’s former partner,” Justice Sullivan said.

Justice Sullivan also rejected the allegation that Ms Sousa made false stalking allegations against Mr Millmann and that she and senior constable Gilson colluded to have him remanded in custody.

Justice Sullivan ordered the matter be adjourned to the Court of Appeal for further hearing.

Ms Sousa was contacted for comment through her employer by this publication.