Gold Coast tennis player Samantha Cowan faces court over 37 charges

A former Gold Coast nurse and international tennis player has faced court on more than 30 charges including stealing lingerie and fuel, drugs charges and assaulting a police officer.

Oxenford ex-nurse and international tennis player, Samantha Emily Cowan, leaving Beenleigh Magistrates Court.

A former Gold Coast nurse and international tennis player has appeared in a Beenleigh court on more than 30 charges including stealing lingerie, assaulting police and possessing dangerous drugs.

Oxenford resident, Samantha Emily Cowan, 35, pleaded guilty in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Friday, November 25, to 37 offences including possessing dangerous drugs, failing to appear in court, breaching bail conditions, stealing, drug driving, wilful damage and assaulting and obstructing police.

The court heard the raft of offences was committed over a three-year period.

On October 29, 2021 in Newmarket, Cowan was caught in possession of meth, valium and an ice pipe.

“A lot of the charges — the quantities of drugs are small amounts,” police prosecutor Sergeant Donna Kay said.

“She clearly has some drug addiction issues.”

Three days later in South Brisbane she was caught assaulting a police officer, obstructing a police officer and was found in possession of pants, an electric scooter and helmet, all suspected to have been stolen.

The next day she was caught with a knife at the Newmarket Hotel, the court heard.

On December 24, in 2020, Cowan was caught stealing clothes from Myer.

The same day, she was charged for possessing two sets of lingerie, suspected stolen.

Cowan’s lawyer, Nick Crawford, said his client had a very successful start to life.

“She travelled throughout the United States when she was younger in relation to sport, she was a national tennis player,” Mr Crawford said.

“She was on the top 100 tennis players list.

“She completed a nursing degree and has worked in skin clinics.”

Mr Crawford said Cowan had a major drug addiction issue.

“She started having issues with meth around 2018 after relationship issues,” Mr Crawford said.

“She has (also) been a victim of serious violence, domestic violence that is.

“Her father is ex-Australian Army and he has free psychiatric help that she has engaged with.”

Magistrate Michael O’Driscoll said Cowan’s offending was serious.

“I’m surprised you even got bail,” Mr O’Driscoll said.

“Hopefully that was a wake up call to you in relation to your future.

“You must know if you breach this order in any way there will be consequences.”

Cowan was convicted and received two years’ probation.

She was disqualified from driving for three months for drug driving offences.

Cowan also was ordered to pay $30 restitution for stealing fuel on March 13, in 2021, at Mt Gravatt.