Aspiring teen beautician charged over shocking Gympie Christmas crash

A young girl who miraculously survived a shocking Christmas Day crash at Gympie in which a 19-year-old boy was seriously injured, has broken down as a Magistrate warned her she was on her ‘last chance’.

An aspiring teenage beautician charged over her alleged involvement in a serious Christmas Day crash in a stolen car has broken down in tears after being given a “last chance” at turning her life around by way of bail.

An aspiring teenage beautician charged over her alleged involvement in a serious Christmas Day crash in an allegedly stolen car has broken down in tears after being given a “last chance” at turning her life around.

The girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, faced Gympie Childrens Court on Tuesday via video link to make a bid for bail over charges laid as a result of the serious crash.

Police allege the girl and 19-year-old boy, who was driving, were allegedly travelling in a 4WD bearing false plates along Eel Creek Rd at the Southside about 5.30am when it left the road, hit two trees, and rolled.

The 19-year-old suffered serious injuries and was taken to Gympie Hospital, while the girl was uninjured.

She was charged with one count each of possessing tainted property and failing to take reasonable care and precautions in respect of disposing syringe or needle, entering dwelling and committing an offence, stealing a vehicle, stealing property worth more than $5000, and driving without a licence.

An aspiring teenage beautician charged over her alleged involvement in a serious Christmas Day crash in a stolen car has broken down in tears after being given a “last chance” at turning her life around by way of bail.

Police prosecutor Mel Campbell said police were concerned that the girl, who had already had bail for other charges, “has just gone on to commit further offences”.

“She has shown no regard for the community,” Sgt Campbell said.

She said if bail was granted, the conditions had to include a requirement she “must” attend a drug treatment program to help her address ongoing addiction problems for drugs taken “intravenously”.

Defence lawyer Chris Anderson said the girl had spent the past week in custody which was an “appreciable” period for such a young person.

Magistrate Bevan Hughes agreed with Sgt Campbell’s submission, saying he was concerned the girl had been “hesitant” to undertake a rehabilitation program, but decided to grant bail.

Mr Hughes said she was “putting her own life at risk” with her alleged offending, which was underpinned by her ongoing drug use.

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Along with ordering the girl attend a specific treatment program as part of her bail conditions, Mr Hughes placed her on a 6pm-6am curfew, and ordered her to have no contact of any kind with her co-accused.

He said offering the ability to access treatment was “usually the last chance” for defendants.

“I know that you’ve been abandoned, I know you’ve let down,” Mr Hughes told the girl, who broke down in tears as he handed down his decision.

Along with ordering the girl attend a specific treatment program as part of her bail conditions, Mr Hughes placed her on a 6pm-6am curfew, and ordered her to have no contact of any kind with her co-accused.

The girl’s matter will return to the Childrens Court on February 13, 2025.

Her co-offender was charged with one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, driving without a licence, using, or permitting use of, a vehicle which was bearing another car’s number plates, possessing tainted property, failing to take reasonable care and precautions in respect of disposing a syringe or needle, and possessing property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence.

Originally published as Aspiring teen beautician charged over shocking Gympie Christmas crash