Teen tobacco shop manager Sophie Amanda Elsom-Tucker on money laundering charges permitted to leave SA
A court ruling has blown open an Adelaide tobacco shop case, despite strong objections from prosecutors.
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A teenage tobacco shop manager accused of money laundering has been permitted to leave the state and return home to Queensland – where her boss also resides.
Sophie Amanda Elsom-Tucker, 18, was granted a bail variation by Chief Magistrate Mary-Louise Hribal at the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday despite concerns from prosecution.
Prosecution opposed the application amid concerns Ms Elsom-Tucker would not return for court and would be put at risk of reoffending.
She told the court “the person she was managing these stores for is also from Queensland”.
“(Her) return to Queensland may put her at risk of further reoffending or put her in harm’s way,” she said.
Prosecution said while she had no criminal history in South Australia and they were not aware of the situation interstate.
Ms Elsom-Tucker was arrested last October after an attempted arson attack on ASG Smokes and Gifts in Rosewater that led to police allegedly finding meth pipes and bongs for sale at the site.
In an earlier hearing, prosecution said the case was part of an ongoing investigation into the illegal tobacco trade in South Australia.
Ms Elsom-Tucker is facing money laundering charges.
Defence for the young woman argued she was 18, with no known criminal history and no support in South Australia.
He said her father would be able to pay for her airfares to return to South Australia and was giving her financial assistance to return to Queensland.
Furthermore, he added the teen had a job offer and was just three days shy of completing her traffic management accreditation.
Ms Hribal said she would grant Ms Elsom-Tucker a bail variation to a Queensland address under certain conditions, including the surrender of her passport.
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Originally published as Teen tobacco shop manager Sophie Amanda Elsom-Tucker on money laundering charges permitted to leave SA
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