Australian woman charged with lacing colleague's curry with snail poison
The alleged victim, who was in a relationship with the woman, had spotted bright green pellets in the meal.
Key points
- A 43-year-old woman in Western Australia has been charged with endangering life after allegedly putting snail poison in a colleague's curry.
- The 58-year-old alleged victim noticed bright green granules and numbness after tasting the curry at lunch.
- Police identified the substance as metaldehyde, a poison found in snail pellets, and the accused will appear in court on 5 November.
A woman in Western Australia has been charged after allegedly lacing a colleague's curry with snail poison. Police say the 58-year-old alleged victim made the meal for co-workers in February and they ate it at morning tea.
When the woman returned to eat leftovers at lunch, she noticed bright green granules in the food and her tongue felt numb after tasting it. The accused, a 43-year-old woman who has not been named, was charged with endangering the life, health or safety of another person after a months-long investigation. She will face court on 5 November.
What police allege
Police allege the 43-year-old woman visited a chemical storage shed before returning to the staffroom where the curry was kept. The accused was in a relationship with the alleged victim, according to the report.
After tasting the curry, the alleged victim handed the meal to detectives, who identified the substance as snail pellets containing metaldehyde, a poisonous substance.
We're just very thankful that the person who tasted the curry was aware of something that wasn't quite right.
— Commissioner Col Blanch
What officials said
Commissioner Col Blanch told reporters the poison can cause serious injury or death. He said, according to the Seven Network, "We're just very thankful that the person who tasted the curry was aware of something that wasn't quite right."
