Toowoomba woman Hunter Leah Charles pleads guilty in court to drug related offences, evading police

A court has been told a young woman was forced to hand over her promising hairdressing business to Toowoomba criminals after her ex-convict lover screwed them over, and led her into a life of crime.

A court has been told a talented Toowoomba hairdresser’s life spiralled out of control after she began dating an ex-convict who introduced her to hard drugs and crime.

In Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Wednesday, April 26, former private school student Hunter Leah Charles pleaded guilty to 16 charges, which were mostly drug related, along with evading police, drug driving, and possessing a knife at Clifford Gardens.

However, the court was told 18 months ago the 23-year-old had no criminal history and was leading an “exceptional” life after completing year 12 at St Joseph’s College and starting a hairdressing business.

Her criminal history is now six to seven pages long.

Lawyer Nathan Bouchier said Charles’ life spiralled out of control after she began dating an ex-convict who was involved in serious criminal activity.

Hunter Leah Charles pleaded guilty to a number of drug charges at the Toowoomba Magistrate Court on Wednesday, April 26.

Mr Bouchier said Charles was threatened with violence and forced to hand over her profitable business, after her partner screwed over criminals in a “very serious way”.

The court was told Charles was no longer dating the man, however she was still running in the same circle for support, out of fear of the criminals who took her business, and a residual drug problem.

Hunter pleaded guilty to five counts of possessing drugs which relate to different occasions in which she was found with methamphetamine, cocaine, and cannabis.

However, at the time of the offence, she was on parole for more serious offending which included being a getaway driver during a robbery.

Mr Bouchier said after spending a sobering week in the watch-house, Charles was spurred to finally accept her parent’s longstanding offer of help and support, which included rehab and a mental health plan.

Magistrate Kay Philipson told Charles that if she didn’t address her drug use and cut ties with bad influences, she was likely to find herself in jail.

After sentencing Charles to a four month and one week jail term with immediate parole, Ms Philipson said she hoped that she could turn her promising life around.
“I wish you the best,” she said.

“Stay away from those who drag you down in life.”
Charles was also fined $7337 and disqualified from driving for two years.