A woman who once represented her state in football has admitted to pointing a gun at a terrified teenager and her sister during a meth-fueled home invasion last year.
Lela Spotswood, pictured in 2016 when she was appointed captain of the Tasmanian team to participate in the national female diversity championships, faces serious charges related to the incident.
The incident occurred on April 30, 2024, when Spotswood and her drug dealer co-accused drove to a private residence in Red Hills armed with firearms. According to Crown counsel Amit Sharma, the pair entered the home through an unlocked door at about 6:10 pm and encountered three occupants—the homeowner and his two teenage daughters.
Mr. Sharma explained that Spotswood pointed her weapon at the “terrified” 16-year-old girl, who was standing protectively in front of her 14-year-old sister. Meanwhile, her co-accused pointed a weapon at the male homeowner and demanded cash and drugs. The homeowner handed over $1,400 after explaining that he had earned the money working in the mining industry.
Evidence presented by the state included a DNA match and CCTV footage of the vehicle used during the incident. Among the items stolen were keys to the homeowner’s Toyota Hilux, clothing, and jewellery.
“It’s an aggravating factor in the offending that it occurred in the presence of children,” Mr. Sharma said during his submissions to the court. He added that the 16-year-old victim feared for her life when Spotswood pointed the firearm directly at her.
In response to the defence counsel’s argument that there were no physical injuries to the victims, Mr. Sharma highlighted the immense psychological harm caused by Spotswood’s actions. The teenager missed significant amounts of school following the incident, and her academic performance suffered as a result.
“The impact was profound for the father,” Mr. Sharma stated. “He had to give up his mining job in Western Australia.”
This distressing case sheds light on the far-reaching consequences of violent crime—not only physical but deeply psychological—especially when children are involved. The court will continue to consider evidence as proceedings move forward.
https://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/9068389/former-child-sports-star-pleads-to-horror-armed-robbery/?src=rss