Former Block star Suzi Taylor has been fined $500 after a sudden twist in a scheduled hearing in a Queensland court.
The former 2015 reality TV season contestant has faced multiple police charges, including possession of dangerous drugs, which are said to have stemmed from an incident in Southport last year.
She was due to face a hearing in Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday on a single charge of possession of contaminated property – allegedly a trauma set – but police failed to produce any evidence to support the allegation.
It was withdrawn and dismissed.
Taylor pleaded guilty to the remaining charges of possession of dangerous drugs, possession of drug property and breach of bail.
Former Block star Suzi Taylor (left, with her lawyer) has been cleared of court with a $500 fine after a sudden twist in a scheduled hearing in a Queensland court
Outside the court, Taylor’s defense attorney, Michael Gatenby, said she hoped that now that her matter was settled, she could “start her life afresh.”
“She’s had a successful career in the past and hopes to regain it,” he said.
“She is very confident that she can rebuild relationships with her children and is content with all of these matters.”
The court was told that a search warrant had been issued at the Southport address where Taylor resided on November 11 last year.
Multiple police charges have been filed against the former 2015 season competitor, including for possession of dangerous drugs, which are said to have stemmed from an incident in Southport last year
Outside court, Taylor’s defense attorney, Michael Gatenby, said she hopes she can “start her life afresh” now and is “confident that she can rebuild her relationship with her children.”
On her bedside table, officers found a small bag containing 3.9 grams of methylamphetamine and another bag containing 2.5 grams of cocaine.
A small amount of marijuana and a glass pipe used to smoke the drug ice cream were also found.
Taylor also violated her bail conditions on multiple occasions, including not coming forward and not staying at her home.
She told police she was effectively homeless at the time and was unaware that she had to tell police to change her address.
Defense attorney Michael Gatenby said his client suffered “significant humiliation” after he was filmed by A Current Affair engaging in a physical altercation with a woman in Brisbane in early 2020.
“Her mental health has deteriorated significantly,” he said.
Taylor rose to fame in 2015 as a contestant on The Block alongside her then-girlfriend Yvonne Cozier (right).
The court was told that at the time the search warrant was executed, Taylor was sharing a room with someone known to be using illegal drugs.
“The arrest warrant was for this particular man,” Mr Gatenby said.
The court was told that Taylor had plans to work as a house sitter for a friend in Avalon Beach on the Northern Beaches of New South Wales.
Mr Gatenby said his client also planned to find employment in Sydney after moving there.
Taylor dabbed at her eyes as Judge Sarah Thompson convicted her and fined her $500.
She considered Taylor’s mental health issues and her attempts to break away from the negative influences of life on the Gold Coast.
Defense attorney Michael Gatenby said his client suffered “significant humiliation” after he was filmed by A Current Affair engaging in a physical altercation with a woman in Brisbane in early 2020. (Taylor is pictured outside Brisbane Magistrates’ Court on May 6, 2021.)
Taylor once claimed to have had a short-lived relationship with Nine star Richard Wilkins
“Hopefully with these protective factors, you’ll gain some stability in your life,” Magistrate Thompson said.
The latest verdict is part of a bumpy string of years for the troubled former reality TV star, who has been back in court for various petty crimes.
In April 2021, Taylor was on trial for racketeering, false imprisonment, assault, fraud and attempted fraud in connection with an allegedly failed escort date.
Police had alleged that Taylor and another man, Ali Ebrahimi, tied up and assaulted a man who had contacted Taylor through a dating app.
The couple were found not guilty on all charges.
A month later, Taylor was convicted on a number of charges but not punished further, including possession of small amounts of cocaine and marijuana, drunk driving, trespassing and multiple bail violations.
Taylor has endured a rocky few years of trying both in and out of court for various petty crimes