Qantas worker’s violent act over love triangle
A Qantas flight attendant who punched her 50-year-old co-worker after finding out she had been sleeping with her ex-partner left injuries that were so bad doctors had to insert titanium screws into the victim’s face.
Arabella Kimberly Mai Lansdown wiped away tears upon learning her career as a flight attendant could be thrown away upon her conviction as she faced sentencing in the District Court in Brisbane on Wednesday.
The single punch Lansdown, 24, threw fractured her co-worker’s cheekbone, upper jaw and eye socket.
The 50-year-old woman required surgery and titanium plates and screws needed to be inserted into her face.
Both women had worked together as flight attendants and Lansdown viewed the victim as a “confidante” at the airline.
The court was told Lansdown confronted the woman at her home on November 26, 2022 after finding out she had been sleeping with Lansdown’s ex-partner.
Despite initial denials, the woman admitted to the sexual relationship and apologised.
“It was in that emotional circumstance you delivered the single punch to her face,” District Court Judge Vicki Loury KC told Lansdown.
“Perhaps unfortunately for you, that single punch caused significant injury.”
In her victim impact statement, the woman said she still experienced continued numbness and psychological issues following the attack.
But Judge Loury noted the same woman did not wish harm on Lansdown, asking the court not to impose a harsh penalty.
“She writes: ‘May this (victim impact statement) along with your own stress be punishment enough’,” Judge Loury said.
Lansdown pleaded guilty to a single charge of grievous bodily harm on Wednesday.
The court was told Lansdown was “well regarded” by her colleagues, who said her actions were “entirely out of character”.
Defence barrister Martin Longhurst said his client had begun an Indigenous traineeship with Qantas while in high school and had worked as a flight attendant for five years.
He told the court that Lansdown risked losing her work as a flight attendant if convicted, as she would not be issued an Aviation Security Investment Card (ASIC) required for domestic travel as part of her work.
Qantas had maintained Lansdown’s employment and she could still work with the airline, just not on aircraft, the court was told.
Mr Longhurst said important features in the case included the “emotional” context of the confrontation, Lansdown’s young age and lack of criminal history at the time.
He submitted the injuries in this case were “borderline” with an assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
“I don’t think they’re borderline, I don’t think you can possibly say that,” Judge Loury told Mr Longhurst.
“This woman had to have surgery to repair these injuries … they’re significant injuries, it’s significant that it’s one blow that’s caused the injuries.
“She’s responsible for the injuries, whether she intended them or not.”
Mr Longhurst said Lansdown had experienced prejudice during her childhood and had been seeing a psychologist regarding “difficulties” coming to terms with the end of the relationship with her ex-partner.
His client had also offered compensation and written a letter of remorse to the court.
Judge Loury ultimately handed the 24-year-old an 18-month jail term but suspended it for two years.
Lansdown was also ordered to pay $2000 in compensation to the victim within four months.
