Woman runs out of legal eagle options
A WOMAN who ran away from court only to be caught outside a Townsville pub will represent herself when she is sentenced for drug trafficking because she sacked two Townsville law firms and was rejected by another.
Candice Bo Allen is set to be sentenced in Townsville Supreme Court on Monday for trafficking methamphetamine, almost two months after she was set to be dealt with.
Allen had attended court on October 10 and spoken with her solicitor Phil Rennick and barrister David James, only to flee before she could be sentenced by Justice David North.
A warrant was issued for her arrest and she remained on the run for almost three weeks before she was spotted by police officers in the car park of Tom’s Tavern at Aitkenvale about 1.50pm on November 1.
The following day Allen had a confusing moment in court when Mr Rennick told Justice North she would not be applying for bail only for Allen to call out from the dock “yes I do”.
Allen eventually apply for bail.
Appearing in court yesterday Mr Rennick was officially withdrawn as Allen’s lawyer.
“We have received a very descriptive letter from our client firing us,” Mr Rennick told Justice North.
Defence barrister Ted Bassett said the Aboriginal and didn’t Torres Strait Islander Legal Service ( ATSILS) had since taken on Allen’s matter but that situation was short lived.
“ATSILS did provide me with a brief,” Mr Bassett said.
“We went out and saw Ms Allen on Wednesday but she does not desire that we represent her.”
Speaking from the courtroom dock, Allen then told Justice North that Michael Spearman of Resolute Legal would be taking on her case.
However, Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane said he had been contacted by Mr Spearman who said he had not accepted Allen’s case and would not be representing her at her sentencing.
Justice North confirmed this with an email sent from Resolute Legal to the court.
“In which case Ms Allen you may be representing yourself on Monday,” Justice North said.
Mr Crane provided Allen with a bundle of court documents for her to review before sentencing.
“You have some reading to do over the weekend Ms Allen,” Justice North said.
It is understood the prosecution will be seeking a sentence in the vicinity of five years’ jail.