Gold Coast model and soon-to-be Playboy Bunny drove on ice and Xanax

AUSSIE pin-up Karlee Ironside tried to outrun police, telling them her weapons stash was for ‘protection’ from her 1.5 million followers.

Karlee Ironside. Picture: Instagram

GOLD Coast pin-up girl Karlee Ironside is off to the US to be a Playboy Bunny but her new career was almost put on ice yesterday.

She pleaded with Southport magistrate Brian Kucks for him not to record a conviction after she pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of a drug, unlicensed driving, and the possession of drugs, a pipe and a knife in a public place.

A conviction could have seen her refused admission to the US.

Karlee Ironside leaves court. Pic by Richard Goslin

Karlee Ironside. Picture: Instagram.

Ironside, 24, had taken ice and the prescription drug Xanax on October 19 when her car became wedged on the tram tracks near Macintosh Island in Surfers Paradise.

After the crash, Ironside tried to do a runner but was grabbed by a security guard.

Police found she was slurring her words and unsteady on her feet and she told them she had taken ice.

The Zoo and Playboy magazine model also had a flick knife and kitchen knife in her bag and told police they were for “protection” from her 1.5 million social media followers.

Solicitor Campbell MacCallum said his client wanted to leave the Gold Coast and take up a fulltime position with the Playboy Mansion.

“Her intention is that she leave the Gold Coast and take an offer, which I have confirmed, with the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles,” he said.

“Her instructions are that she’s seeking a penalty that would allow her to get away from the Gold Coast and take up her first fulltime position in years.”

Mr MacCallum said she had the knives in her possession for her own protection but admitted this was no excuse.

Karlee Ironside. Picture: Instagram

“She instructs she has approximately 1.5 million followers on social media – she’s quite often harassed and stalked by those people,” he said.

“My submission is your honour may consider giving her one further chance.”

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Saloshini Chetty said she was seeking $1624 in restitution to cover damage to the tram tracks.

Sen Constable Chetty said Ironside had no reason for possessing the knives.

Magistrate Kucks said even without a conviction for these offences, Ironside could still face hurdles trying to get a work visa in the US because of a previous drink-driving matter.

“I’m very well aware of the fact that the US have issues with people who have readings over 0.08 as to whether they should be allowed into the country, let alone whether they can work there,” he said.

“That’s a hurdle you’re going to have to leap anyway.”

Mr Kucks agreed not to record a conviction on the criminal offences and ordered Ironside pay $1624 in restitution, fined her $2150 and suspended her licence for 13 months.

Originally published as Gold Coast model and soon-to-be Playboy Bunny drove on ice and Xanax