Jean Rosina Hunt, 43, appeared in Perth's Armadale Magistrates Court on Thursday, accused of lacing a colleague's curry with toxic snail pellets. The charge stems from a seven-month police investigation into an alleged incident at a plant-growing business in Oldbury.
Police allege that on February 12, a 58-year-old woman brought curry to work to share with colleagues. Hunt is accused of later accessing a chemical storage shed and placing snail pellets into the leftover curry stored in the staff lunchroom. The alleged victim reportedly noticed green granules in her meal and experienced numbness on her tongue after tasting a small amount. The curry was seized and tested positive for metaldehyde, a poisonous substance commonly found in snail and slug baits.
Metaldehyde can cause severe neurotoxic risks to humans and animals. Symptoms in humans include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, and in severe cases, convulsions and respiratory problems. WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch stated that such actions "can result in death and or serious injury."
Authorities also allege that Hunt and the victim were previously in a relationship. Hunt left the business for unrelated reasons, according to Nine News.
Following extensive inquiries, Hunt was arrested in October at a Golden Bay address. She has not yet entered a plea to the charge. Her bail was continued until her next court appearance on December 17. The maximum penalty for the charge is 20 years in jail.
