A US girl who flew to Australia with a gold-plated pistol in her baggage has been sentenced to a 12 months in jail, regardless of claiming she introduced it along with her for cover.
Liliana Goodson pleaded responsible to costs of illegally importing an unauthorised firearm and illegally importing ammunition.
On Monday, the 30-year-old was sentenced in Sydney’s Downing Centre native courtroom to the 12-month jail time period, of which 4 months might be served in full-time custody.
Goodson was taken into custody instantly after the listening to and compelled to take away her intensive jewelry earlier than being handcuffed and led from the courtroom.
She was initially arrested at Sydney airport in April 2023 after customs officers uncovered the 24-carat gold-plated pistol, price about $3,000, in her baggage.
The courtroom was beforehand instructed she had come to Australia to attend clown college and claimed she introduced the gun for cover.
Goodson had searched on-line whether or not she was allowed to convey the weapon into Australia, regardless of telling officers on the time she forgot she had it along with her.
When requested on the airport if she was carrying any prohibited objects along with her, Goodson claimed she was not, the courtroom was instructed.
“What concerning the gun in your bag?” she was requested by a customs officer.
Goodson replied: “Oh yeah, I forgot about that.”
A evaluation of Goodson’s cellphone revealed she had searched on-line “can I’ve a gun in my suitcase?” and set a calendar entry with a notice reminding her to “put gun in suitcase”.
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Justice of the Peace Susan Horan stated there was a robust want to discourage others from committing comparable offences sooner or later, which might solely be achieved by means of a interval of incarceration.
“Australia has a robust stance towards firearms,” she stated.
Prosecutors submitted earlier that the gun appears to be like notably confronting and would “terrify members of the group”, which Horan agreed with.
Goodson instructed police she was truly “scared” of capturing the gun and hoped merely producing it might be sufficient to discourage potential threats.
“If that didn’t do it I might in all probability simply pistol whip,” Goodson was quoted as having stated.
When requested the place she deliberate to retailer the gun whereas she was in Australia, she indicated underneath a automobile’s passenger seat, the courtroom was instructed.
The courtroom was instructed lately, Goodson was utilizing psychedelic medicine, artificial hashish and crystal meth amphetamines.
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