Former Block star Suzy Taylor has walked free from court with a $500 fine after suddenly turning up at a Queensland court hearing.
The former contestant on the 2015 season of the reality TV show faced a number of police charges, including possession of dangerous drugs, stemming from an incident in Southport last year.
He was due to face a hearing at Southport Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday on a single count of possession of tainted property – allegedly a trauma kit – but police have not provided any evidence on the charge.
It was withdrawn and dismissed.
Taylor pleaded guilty to the remaining charges of possession of dangerous drugs, possession of drug property and breach of bail.
Former Block star Suzy Taylor (left, with her lawyer) walks free from court with a $500 fine after suddenly turning around in a scheduled hearing at a Queensland court
Outside court, Taylor’s defense lawyer Michael Gatenby said he hoped to ‘resume his life’ now that his affairs had been concluded.
He said, ‘He has had a successful career in the past and is hoping to bounce back.’
‘He is very hopeful that he will be able to reestablish his relationship with his children and he is happy about it all.’
The court was told that a search warrant was executed at an address in Southport where Taylor was living on November 11 last year.
During the 2015 season the former competitor faced a number of police charges, including possession of dangerous drugs, allegedly stemming from an incident in Southport last year.
Outside court, Taylor’s defense lawyer Michael Gatenby said she now hoped to ‘restart her life’ and was ‘hopeful she can re-establish her relationship with her children’.
Officers found a small 3.9 gram bag of methylamphetamine and another 2.5 gram bag of cocaine on his bedside table.
A small amount of marijuana used to smoke the drug ice and a glass pipe were also found.
Taylor also breached his bail conditions on several occasions, including failing to report and living at his home.
He told police he was effectively homeless at the time and didn’t know he had to notify police to change his address.
Defense lawyer Michael Gatenby said his client suffered ‘significant humiliation’ after being filmed by Current Affairs getting into a physical altercation with a woman in Brisbane in early 2020.
‘She has suffered a significant setback to her mental health,’ he said.
Taylor rose to fame in 2015 as a contestant on The Block with then-friend Yvonne Cozier (right).
The court was told an ‘associate’ Taylor was sharing a room with someone who was known to use illegal drugs when the search warrant was executed.
‘The warrant was aimed at that particular person,’ Mr Gatenby said.
The court was told Taylor had plans to house-sit for a friend at Avalon Beach on NSW’s northern beaches.
Mr Gatenby said his client also planned to look for work after relocating to Sydney.
Taylor dabbed his eyes as Magistrate Sarah Thompson found him guilty and fined him $500.
He took into account Taylor’s mental health issues and his efforts to move away from the negative effects of living on the Gold Coast.
Defense lawyer Michael Gatenby said his client had suffered ‘significant humiliation’ after being filmed by Current Affairs getting into a physical altercation with a woman in Brisbane in early 2020.
Taylor once claimed to have had a short-lived relationship with Nine star Richard Wilkins
‘Hopefully with these protective elements, you will find some stability in your life,’ said Magistrate Thompson.
The latest sentence is part of years of discomfort for the troubled former reality TV star, who has been in and out of court for various minor crimes.
In April 2021, Taylor went on trial on charges of extortion, deprivation of liberty, assault causing bodily harm, forgery and attempted fraud due to an alleged misrepresentation of an escort date.
Police allege that Taylor and another man, Ali Ebrahimi, tied up and assaulted a man who had contacted Taylor through a dating app.
The pair were found not guilty of all charges.
A month later, Taylor was found guilty but no longer charged with possession of small amounts of cocaine and marijuana, driving while intoxicated, trespassing and multiple violations of bail.
Taylor has bounced around for several years, finding himself in and out of court for various petty crimes