A woman accused of lacing her colleague's curry with toxic snail pellets has been pictured for the first time.
Jean Rosina Hunt, 43, represented herself when she appeared in Perth's Armadale Magistrates Court on Thursday for a brief case mention.
She was recently charged with unlawful act or omission with intent to harm following a seven-month police investigation into the alleged incident at a plant-growing business in Oldbury in the city's south.
Police alleged last month that, on February 12, a 58-year-old woman brought a container of curry to work to share with colleagues at morning tea, which was eaten without any issues.
Hunt then allegedly accessed a chemical storage shed and placed snail pellets in the leftover curry stored in the staff lunchroom.
Her colleague later allegedly noticed the bright green granules in her contaminated lunch and, after tasting a small amount, realised something wasn't right when she experienced numbness on her tongue.
The meal was seized and allegedly tested positive for metaldehyde, a poisonous substance.
Commonly found in snail and slug baits and solid fuel tablets, the toxin poses severe neurotoxic risks to humans and animals.
Jean Rosina Hunt is accused of lacing her colleague's curry with toxic snail pellets. Police also allege the pair had previously been in a relationship
The curry was allegedly contaminated with poisonous snail pellets
The alleged victim had brought the curry to work to share with colleagues (stock image)
When indigested by humans, symptoms occur within 1-3 hours and primarily affect the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system.
It causes nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion and, in severe cases, convulsions and respiratory problems.
'I think we know that those actions can, and we've seen it, result in death and or serious injury,' WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch recently told reporters.
Police also alleged that the victim and Hunt were previously in a relationship.
Hunt later left the business for unrelated reasons, Nine News reported.
Following extensive inquiries by police, Hunt was arrested at a Golden Bay address in October.
She is yet to enter a plea to the charge.
Bail was continued until her next court appearance on December 17.
The maximum penalty for the charge is 20 years' jail.
Flanked by two supporters, Hunt did not answer reporters' questions as she left court.
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