Suellen Carr: Byron Bay woman faces heroin supply charges

A Byron Bay woman charged with 30 counts of drug supply has been refused bail. Read why the court deemed the application could interfere with the case.

A Byron Bay woman charged with ongoing heroin supply has been refused bail after concerns she could be living with a potential witness in her case.

Suellen Carr, 57, appeared via videolink in Byron Bay Local Court on Tuesday regarding an alleged extensive supply of heroin.

Ms Carr faces 30 supply a prohibited drug charges.

According to court documents, Ms Carr’s charges relate to the supply of small amounts of heroin between February 2 and March 23 across the Byron Shire, Coolangatta and Varsity Lakes.

Ms Carr allegedly dealt up to 2g of heroin across the border.

In total, police will allege Ms Carr dealt an estimated $4060 worth of the drug with co- accused David Ostling, 62, according to court documents.

Solicitor Kylie Anderson Clarke proposed a new bail application on Tuesday that would see Ms Carr reside with her daughter in Byron Bay.

She said, unlike a previous bail application which would have seen her reside with her partner Mr Ostling, her daughter was a “person not involved in the drug scene at all”.

However, the application drew ire as Magistrate Karen Stafford pointed out Ms Carr had told police the alleged proceeds of crime were the “legitimate funds” of her daughter made through babysitting.

This would mean Ms Carr’s daughter could be a potential witness.

Ms Anderson-Clarke acknowledged the overlap but stated Ms Carr’s daughter was “the most appropriate support she has”.

“She certainly doesn’t appear to be a person who would allow herself to be compromised,” she told the court.

Ms Carr has been refused bail since May 23.

Magistrate Stafford said she was not satisfied with the bail conditions given the possible risk.

She added given the majority of the supply was allegedly committed in the Byron Shire, Ms Carr shouldn’t reside in the same area.

“In my view, the suggested bail conditions just really doesn’t change how the court would see the real and unacceptable risk of the further commission of offences,” she said.

She pointed to a “strong prosecution case” as further case against the bail application.

Given that, she denied Ms Carr bail and ordered a balance of brief be provided before July 11.

Mr Ostling has been charged with 16 supply a prohibited drug charges and one count of dealing with the proceeds of crime.

Both Ms Carr and Mr Ostling are yet to enter any pleas.