Sant applied for bail in Brisbane’s Supreme Court after being accused of the murder of a 23-year-old mother. The prosecution claimed that Sant had changed the license plates on a Toyota Prado before the alleged murder by finding a similar model vehicle on Facebook Marketplace and swapping the plates. The prosecutor stated that there was evidence of planning by Sant and another person before the incident, as the false number plate on the Prado was changed back to its legitimate one after the alleged murder. Justice Peter Davis noted that there were disturbing aspects of the case, including the use of the false number plate, but accepted the prosecution’s concession that they would have to prove Sant was the driver and had intent to kill the victim.
Sant’s defense lawyer argued that she was a mother of three children under the age of six and a low flight risk, with no criminal history or passport. The defense claimed that it would be unrealistic for Sant to flee the jurisdiction with three young children. Sant, who was supported by her family in court, wrote letters to them while in custody expressing her desire to be with her children and fear of missing out on their lives. Despite these concerns, Sant was granted bail on strict conditions, including wearing a GPS tracking device.
The prosecution’s case against Sant included evidence linking the Prado to the accident, suggesting her involvement in the alleged murder of the 23-year-old mother. The prosecutor highlighted the consistency in the modus operandi of swapping the license plates before and after the incident as evidence of planning. Justice Peter Davis acknowledged the disturbing aspects of the case but reiterated that the prosecution would have to prove Sant was the driver and had intent to kill the victim. The judge also noted that Sant’s family support and letters expressing her desire to be with her children were factors in granting her bail.
Sant’s bail conditions required her to wear a GPS tracking device, indicating that close monitoring was deemed necessary to ensure she complied with the terms of her release. The judge took into consideration Sant’s role as a mother of three young children and her lack of criminal history when making the decision to grant bail. Sant’s defense lawyer emphasized her low flight risk and the practical challenges of fleeing the jurisdiction with young children, arguing that she posed no significant risk of absconding. Despite the seriousness of the charges against her, Sant was granted bail under strict conditions.
The judge noted the emotional impact of being separated from her children on Sant, as evidenced by the letters she had written while in custody. He acknowledged her concerns about missing out on her children’s lives and emphasized the importance of family support in such difficult circumstances. Sant’s bail decision was based on a combination of factors, including the nature of the charges, her personal circumstances, and the level of support she had from her family. The granting of bail with strict conditions reflected a balance between the seriousness of the allegations and the need to consider Sant’s role as a mother and the impact of separation from her children.
Overall, the decision to grant Sant bail in the murder case was based on a careful consideration of various factors, including the prosecution’s evidence, Sant’s personal circumstances as a mother of young children, and the level of family support she had. The judge emphasized the need to balance the seriousness of the charges against Sant with her personal situation and recognized the emotional toll of being separated from her children. The granting of bail with strict conditions, including wearing a GPS tracking device, aimed to ensure Sant’s compliance with the terms of her release while allowing her to be with her family during the legal proceedings.
