Michelle Laing sentenced for burglary preceding fatal crash by Izak Sefton-Bennett

Details of a woman’s part in a vicious robbery by gunpoint have unravelled after she admitted to scouring the home for drugs and cash.

Michelle Rhiannon Loraine Laing leaving Maroochydore District Court on April 14, 2025. Picture: Sam Turner

A woman sobbed without end as a court heard of a robbery that preceded a horrific crash which killed a dearly loved Sunshine Coast aged-care worker.

Michelle Rhiannon Loraine Laing was given three years’ imprisonment with immediate parole by Judge Gary Long in Maroochydore District Court on May 2.

Laing previously pleaded guilty to burglary at night in company, robbery with violence and unlawful use of a motor vehicle in company while armed at night.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Long noted Laing’s co-offender was Izak Kane Sefton-Bennett who, following the events of the robbery, caused a crash that killed Christella Tan on September 15, 2023.

Laing herself has not been charged with any wrongdoing in relation to the crash and death of Ms Tan.

Sefton-Bennett was sentenced on April 28 for his involvement in the burglary and the crash.

Ms Tan’s husband, Bernard Wee, said he was satisfied with the outcome of Sefton-Bennett’s sentence.

Bernard Wee and Christella (Stella) Tan were married for five years. Picture: Contributed

“When she died, I also died,” he said.

“I still go to her grave every week and cry so much.

“We were so happy together but in that moment, the accident changed everything for me.”

In a previous appearance by Laing on April 17, the court was told by Crown prosecutor Sanaz Masoumi the pair knew the robbery victim through mutual friends, who allegedly heard through another friend the victim had called Sefton-Bennett “a dog”.

Ms Masoumi said the pair “retaliated and conspired” to break into his home and steal drugs and cash from the man.

The court heard Laing agreed she would visit the victim’s home under false pretences to buy drugs.

Michelle Rhiannon Loraine Laing leaving Maroochydore District Court on April 14, 2025. Picture: Sam Turner

On September 15, 2023, Ms Masoumi said Sefton-Bennett barged in armed with a gun and black baton, which he used to strike the victim in the arm.

He then asked Laing to scour the home for drugs and cash. She took meth, cigarettes, diazepam, and the keys to the man’s vehicle, the court heard.

They then fled from the property where the co-accused was the driver and Laing the passenger, while the victim ran to a neighbour’s home who called an ambulance.

The court heard the vehicle was driven to bushland at Yandina where Laing was picked up by friends, leaving Sefton-Bennett and the car behind.

Judge Long said on Thursday Sefton-Bennett was found by police an hour later.

Stella Tan died on September 15, 2023, when Izak Kane Sefton-Bennett crashed into the car Mrs Tan was driving in Burnside. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Laing was interviewed by police days later where she made admissions including being high on ice at the time, how she felt “frightened” at the home invasion and how it “grew out of control” when it was initially going to be done to scare the victim.

Judge Long accepted Laing had not expected her co-offender to show up armed with a firearm, but had continued to participate in the robbery.

He labelled the circumstances of the offending as “serious,” noting the planning of the robbery with Sefton-Bennett.

Judge Long told the court Laing had been abusing drugs at the time of the offending and she had adverse experiences in her childhood.

She had also pursued a career in nursing prior to the offending.

The court heard Laing is currently in temporary housing and serving actual time of imprisonment would impact her more seriously than if she did not suffer from certain medical conditions.

Laing hunched over in the dock as she wept throughout the whole of the proceedings.

Originally published as Michelle Laing sentenced for burglary preceding fatal crash by Izak Sefton-Bennett