Gold Coast Covid-19 quarantine hotel: Alleged Sofitel escapee Jessica Lee Heath denied bail
The woman accused of kicking in a door and going on the run from hotel quarantine has faced a Gold Coast court.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE woman accused of breaking out of hotel quarantine and going on the run for days has no explanation why she absconded, a court has been told.
Jessica Lee Heath was given bail on other charges the same day she broke out of the Sofitel Hotel, Broadbeach on August 3.
When she appeared in Southport Magistrates Court via videolink from the Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre on Tuesday she wore what appeared to be a hospital smock.
The 24-year-old is charged with multiple charges including failure to comply with Covid direction, wilful damage, stealing, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, entering a premises and possession of dangerous drugs.
Heath had been placed into quarantine after she travelled from New South Wales and was intercepted at the border on July 31.
Police allege Heath forced open the glass doors of the Sofitel Hotel at Broadbeach on August 3, causing damage to the door.
She was on the run for four days before she was arrested in a Caboolture Park after a tip off from members from the public.
Magistrate Kay Philipson refused Heath bail as she considered her an unacceptable risk of failing to appear and committing other offences.
Defence barrister James Grehan, of Legal Aid Queensland, said Heath was going through a “chaotic” time which included homelessness.
Magistrate Philipson replied: “She was sheltered in the Sofitel Hotel and broke out of there after getting bail from me.
“I’m not confident she will comply with anything.”
Mr Grehan also pointed out Heath had spent quarantine in the watchhouse.
Magistrate Philipson did not accept that as a mitigating circumstances.
“That very day she gets bail she kicks her way out of her very comfortable hotel,” she said.
Mr Grehan told the court it was not clear why she broke out of the hotel.
“I don’t have any explanation why she chose to take the actions she did,” he said.
“She also received some public humiliation and that is likely to be ongoing.”
Mr Grehan said Heath had escaped a domestic violence relationship at the end of last year which had led to the alleged offending.
The matter was adjourned to September 30.
Charges after teens’ alleged 1700km stolen car crime spree
Three teens found sleeping in stolen cars at a Gold Coast McDonald’s have been arrested after an alleged break-and-enter spree from Melbourne to Brisbane.
Hit and run: Police hunt driver in Pimpama e-scooter crash
A teenager has been taken to hospital after they were knocked from their e-scooter on the Gold Coast in an alleged hit and run.