A former model who turned to a life of drugs after being shot in the face has pleaded guilty in court to numerous charges.
Georgia Kirby, 34, pleaded guilty in Geelong Magistrates Court on Tuesday to possessing a prohibited weapon without exemption, failing to answer bail, and stealing.
Police prosecutor Emma Morse said on June 6 last year, Kirby placed a number of medications from Market Square’s My Chemist store into her jacket and carry bag.
She was stopped by security and asked to return the products, valued at $31.95.
She was taken to the police station for interview.
On March 5 this year, police were called to Aldi at 3.50pm following reports a man and woman were “drug affected”.
Police arrived and spoke to the man and woman – identified as Kirby.
Police searched Kirby’s handbag and found a small canister of OC spray. She was arrested and taken to Corio police station.
She was bailed to attend court on May 3, however she failed to attend. On May 23 she handed herself into police.
Kirby’s lawyer said his client had been without a phone and was chaotic in terms of managing appointments.
“She realised she missed her court date and attended the police station,” he said.
He also detailed Kirby’s background and described how she became involved in drugs.
“She received a shot to the face in 2011 that left her suffering from PTSD. She previously had a career path lined up and was previously doing some modelling and working with makeup,” he said.
“When she was shot in the face, all of that finished and she became more heavily involved in the drug system.”
Magistrate Michelle Hodgson convicted and fined Kirby $400 for all of the offences.
“In relation to OC spray that does cause me some concern, just in relation to potential danger to the community,” Ms Hodgson said.
“The problem is, when you have those things, they get used and they cause an enormous amount of trauma and harm in the community.”