Perth woman faces court accused of poisoning colleague’s curry

November 5, 2026 — 4:27pmA Perth woman has appeared in court for the first time after she allegedly poisoned a coworker’s curry lunch with snail pellets.Jean Hunt, 43, appeared in Armadale Magistrates Court on Thursday, charged with unlawful act or omission with intent to harm after she allegedly poisoned a curry that had been brought in for a workplace lunch at an Oldbury business in February.Jean Hunt leaves Armadale Magistrates Court on Thursday.Hannah MurphyWhen revealing the charge against Hunt last month, WA Police said the victim brought a container of the curry to share, and it had been eaten by her colleagues with no issue.However, it is alleged Hunt then accessed a chemical storage shed, before going back into the building where the curry had been kept.About 12pm, the 58-year-old victim took her lunch break and when she opened the container of curry again, she noticed “bright-green granules” poured on the food.Police said the woman tasted a small amount, and on experiencing numbness on her tongue, realised something was wrong with the curry.She gave it over to police, who then investigated and found snail pellets containing metaldehyde, a poisonous substance, had been mixed into the food.About seven months later, detectives arrested Hunt at a Golden Bay address.Hunt’s bail was extended during Thursday’s brief hearing, and she is next due in court on December 17.She is yet to enter a plea to the charge.Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.Hannah Murphy is a journalist with WAtoday covering breaking and general news. She previously worked for the ABC in the state’s Kimberley region.Connect via email.From our partners