My Ut Trinh, who faces up to 10 years in jail if convicted, was motivated by a workplace grievance, Brisbane court hears

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

A Queensland strawberry farm supervisor seeking revenge over a workplace grievance sparked a nationwide crisis by planting needles in fruit, a court has heard.

My Ut Trinh appeared in Brisbane magistrates court on Monday charged with seven counts of contamination of goods with intent to cause economic loss.

The court heard Trinh, 50, was working at Berrylicious at Caboolture between 2 September and 5 September when she allegedly inserted needles into the fruit.

It will be alleged DNA matching Trinh’s was found on one of the needles.

The first needle was discovered on 9 September when a man bit into a strawberry he bought at a supermarket, and Trinh almost immediately became a person of interest to police, the court heard.

Play Video 1:46 Australia's strawberry needle sabotage explained – video

Magistrate Christine Roney said the Crown was alleging Trinh was “motivated by spite or revenge” over a workplace grievance, and said she would not consider granting bail until the reasons for the retribution became clearer.

Trinh’s lawyer, Michael Cridland, withdrew the bail application, but said his client was not an unacceptable flight risk.

The needles and the damage done: the growers hurt by Australia's strawberry saboteurs Read more

Cridland said Trinh had strong family ties to Brisbane. He said Trinh, who required a Vietnamese interpreter in court, was an Australian citizen and had complied with all police requirements thus far.

He said any risk of flight could be mitigated by “suitable firm conditions” such as forfeiting her passport.

Trinh was remanded in custody until 22 November. She faces up to 10 years in jail if convicted.

Earlier on Monday, Detective John Walker said the investigation had been unique in that it involved almost every state and jurisdiction in the country.

He said 230 incidents were ultimately reported nationwide, affecting 68 strawberry brands.

The investigation was continuing, he said.