Shock in Tayla Ashley Blundell gel blaster case: Prosecutor drops District charges

A 25-year-old North Coast woman has had the majority of the charges against her dropped. However, here are the charges that will continue in the courts.

Tayla Ashley Blundell will no longer stand for trial for firearms possession charges.

A Tweed Heads woman charged with several weapons offences has had almost all charges withdrawn by the prosecution as she fronts Lismore District Court.

Tayla Ashley Blundell appeared in the District Court on July 26.

The charges relate to incidents on May 13 and June 12, 2020, and involved 20 counts of unauthorised firearm possession, and four drug possession charges.

According to court documents, all of the items she was alleged to have possessed were “gel blaster” style guns, legal in Queensland but classed as a prohibited weapon in NSW.

Ms Blundell was facing a number of charges including; possessing prohibited drugs, possessing unregistered firearms, and possessing unauthorised prohibited firearms.

Ms Blundell had previously pleaded not guilty to possessing unregistered firearms.

However, during her mention, the court heard the Crown prosecution had been advised to drop most charges, including those destined for trial.

“We will also not be proceeding with related summary charges related to firearms,” he said.

The court heard several the drug charges would now be sent to Tweed Heads Local Court.

Formal pleas have not been entered for these charges.

Judge Jeffery McLennan adjourned the matter to Tweed Heads Local Court on August 2.

“I am grateful for the director’s indicating the disposition of this matter,” he said.