Storm Cecilia Tientjes breaks down in court, 52 days after warrant issued for failing to appear

A young woman charged over a horror fatal crash broke down into a wailing fit after she was hauled back before a magistrate, 52 days after a warrant was issued for her arrest. Latest >

Storm Cecilia Tientjes, 26, is charged with causing death by dangerous driving and more over a fatal crash at Copping on April 7, 2023 in which one woman died.

A young woman charged over a horror fatal crash broke down into a wailing fit after she was hauled back before a magistrate 52 days after a warrant was issued for her arrest.

Storm Cecilia Tientjes, 26, is charged over a crash which killed another woman on the Arthur Highway at Copping on Good Friday this year.

After appearing self-represented in the Supreme Court of Tasmania on April 22, she was granted bail – but she failed to show up at her next court date on May 8.

On that day, she was listed for a plea in the Hobart Magistrates Court, but Tientjes did not appear when her name was called, and she did not answer her phone when a lawyer tried to contact her.

Chief Magistrate Catherine Geason issued a warrant for Tientjes’ arrest, saying she was concerned the young woman was a flight risk.

Storm Cecilia Tientjes, 26, is charged with causing death by dangerous driving, fail to comply with a requirement for the taking of blood for analysis, drive whilst not the holder of a driver licence, and more over a fatal crash at Copping on April 7, 2023 in which one woman died.

On Thursday afternoon, a lawyer representing Tientjes, Dinesh Loganathan, told the court that the 26-year-old had been taken into custody.

Tientjes was brought from custody into the dock of the Hobart Magistrates Court before Magistrate Michael Daly.

Mr Loganathan told the court that no application for bail would be made.

Tientjes began hyperventilating when she was told that she would be remanded in custody until late July for mention – and began to shake and cry as the court was adjourned.

Tientjes was heard to slip off the seat in the dock, with one guard saying she had passed out.

Through her cries and sharp breaths, she was heard to say “don’t touch me” – to which a guard said “we’re not going to touch you”.

At one stage, more than six security guards and staff responded to the incident, with several people in the dock with Tientjes as she tried to control her gasping breaths, until she was taken out of the courtroom.

Tientjes has not entered pleas to any of her charges arising from the April 7 crash, which include causing death by dangerous driving, driving while not holding a licence, use unregistered motor vehicle, and dishonestly display or alter a plate in a way calculated to deceive.

She is also charged with a count of fail to comply with a requirement for the taking of blood for analysis.