Russell Island woman denied bail over drug and weapons charges

A woman has been denied bail after a bayside court heard she was so drugged police had to use a taser.

A Russell Island woman facing charges including serious assault of police officers, was refused bail when she appeared in Cleveland Magistrates Court via video link.

A Russell Island woman who allegedly armed herself with knives and had to be tasered by police has been denied bail by Cleveland Magistrates Court.

Angela Rae Cuthbert, 47, appeared in court on drug and weapons charges, with Magistrate Deborah Vasta refusing her release due to what she described as a serious and escalating pattern of behaviour linked to substance abuse.

Cuthbert, who was charged with 15 offences for drugs, public nuisance, serious assault of police officers and unlawful possession of a weapon, has not entered pleas.

The court heard Cuthbert, who appeared with a bandage over her left forehead, is currently on a probation order and has a history of failing to engage with mandated supervision and support services, despite multiple attempts by probation officers to contact her across Russell Island, Southport and Redland Bay.

On the most recent occasion, on July 19, police said they found Cuthbert armed with knives and in a distressed state, requiring tasering after she reportedly threatened officers.

The court heard how she was allegedly disposing of methylamphetamine before police arrived but was so drugged that she was unsure of “reality” and regrets her actions against police.

“She just wanted to get out of the house and every door and window was locked and so she smashed a window trying to get out,” her lawyer told the court.

“...A few years ago, a brick was thrown through her car window that caused significant injury and she’s got a titanium eye socket as well as a titanium cheek and jaw ... and she suspects she has post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression.

“She knows she needs to get better for her children.”

Her lawyer said Cuthbert suffers from suspected post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, and has five children.

Magistrate Vasta noted the most recent event followed a string of police interactions across the year, including incidents on January 1, February 11 and 20, March 16 and 26, and May 30 and June 16.

She said in February, police found her with knives and other people’s driver’s licences and, in March, she was found unconscious with knives and 15ml of gamma butyrolactone, GBL.

Cuthbert’s legal representative argued she had reached a breaking point but was now committed to change, having made an appointment with a local community centre for mental health and housing support the day before her arrest.

“You were actually so under the influence that you thought you were in danger and you actually (were) armed with knives and you had to be tasered because you were threatening police with knives,” Magistrate Vasta said.

“...You are in the grip of a drug addiction that you just can’t seem to get yourself out of.”

Magistrate Vasta found Cuthbert an unacceptable risk of either failing to appear or committing further offences and remanded her in custody until her next appearance in September.

“If she can get herself into rehab, I would consider a change of circumstances,” Magistrate Vasta added.

Cuthbert’s matter was adjourned, with her next court appearance set for a date in September.

Originally published as Russell Island woman denied bail over drug and weapons charges