50-year-old My Ut Trinh, also known as Judy, is a former farm worker in Caboolture, a town in Queensland, Australia.
On November 11, Trinh was arrested and accused of contaminating strawberries with needles, ABC reports. The Queensland police are charging her with seven counts of fruit contamination, a charge that would lead to three to ten years in prison. Trinh faced court in Brisbane the following day.
In September, several reports of fruits, especially strawberries, grown in Queensland and Western Australia being contaminated with metal needles led to months‘ long investigation and a food safety scandal. Over 200 cases were reported nationwide involving brands such as Donnybrook Berries, Love Berry, Delightful Strawberries, Oasis brands, Berry Obsession, Berry Licious, etc.
"The case that is put is that it is motivated by some spite or revenge," Magistrate Christine Roney said regarding Trinh's arrest. According to the police, her DNA was found on a punnet of strawberries in Victoria.
Trinh's lawyer and solicitor Micheal Cridland said that Trinh worked as a supervisor for Berry Licious farm but her job hadn’t involve picking strawberries or packing. Cridland also dictates that it's too early to conclude whether the DNA on the punnet was a direct match or a mixed profile.
Cridland argued for bail but was denied by the court. The case will return to court on November 22. Meanwhile, the police will continue their investigation.
According to The Australian, My Ut Trinh was born in Vietnam and came to Australia 20 years ago.
[Photo via News]
