Jessica Heath faces court accused of escaping from hotel quarantine on the Gold Coast
Jessica Lee Heath, the woman accused of escaping from hotel quarantine on the Gold Coast, allegeldy stole groceries from Coles before her arrest after four days on the run.
The woman accused of absconding from hotel quarantine and going on the run for days allegedly broke into a home and stole a car the day before she was forced into isolation.
Jessica Lee Heath, 24, appeared via video link in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday afternoon following her arrest late Saturday.
The woman had been placed into quarantine after she had travelled from the declared coronavirus hotspot of New South Wales and was intercepted on July 31 at a border control check point by Queensland Police.
Police allege Heath forced open the glass door of her Gold Coast quarantine room on August 3, causing damage to the door.
She was on the run for four days before she was finally arrested at about 3pm on Saturday at a Caboolture Park after a tip off from members of the public.
According to court documents, Heath is accused of stealing groceries from a Caboolture Coles on Saturday prior to her arrest.
Heath is also accused of breaking into a Bowen Hills home on January 30 and taking car keys which she then allegedly used to steal a car.
She is facing seven charges including stealing, wilful damage, failing to comply with a Covid health direction, burglary and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
According to court documents, the 24-year-old was subject to bail conditions when she absconded from quarantine that required she report to police three days a week. She is charged with two counts of breaching bail relating to her alleged failure to report while on the run.
A Legal Aid solicitor appeared for Heath and said she had been instructed not to apply for bail and asked for the case to be adjourned to August 24 when she has other matters listed for mention in the Southport Magistrates Court.
Heath briefly interjected and asked “but what would happen if I asked for bail today, judge?”
“Well that’s a matter for you to discuss with your solicitor,” magistrate Mark Nolan told her.
“She said that you’re not applying for bail today, you want the matters adjourned to Southport so that’s what I’ll do.”
Heath did not respond to the magistrate and the case was adjourned as she had previously instructed her lawyer.
