A woman who went viral for her “Cold Chisel” name has copped a hefty jail sentence for a mammoth 13-month crime spree rampage during which she stole cars, broke into multiple houses, stole thousands of dollars worth of goods and at one point drove directly at a police car during a high-speed highway pursuit.
Khe Sanh Shawna Cox, 31, went viral on social media in 2021 when South Australia Police called on the public’s help to bring the fugitive in, with thousands of people noting her name, which references the classic Cold Chisel song about an Australian Vietnam War veteran.
Cox’s crime spree kicked off on Christmas Day 2019 and lasted through to January 30, 2021, when she was arrested in Adelaide’s northeast after a police pursuit along the Sturt Highway and the city’s suburbs.
She pleaded guilty to criminal trespassing crimes, theft, drug possession, giving false information to the police and dangerous driving.
Judge Joanne Tracey on Tuesday handed down an eight-year jail term for Cox, with a non-parole period of six years and four months.
Cox has been in police custody since her arrest in 2021.
Judge Tracey, speaking about Cox’s sentence at Adelaide District Court, said she had balanced a desire to promote Cox’s rehabilitation while also protecting the community.
Judge Tracey said Cox had victimised 24 people during her spree, some of whom had suffered “life-changing impacts” from the offending and were left “vulnerable, afraid and in despair”.
In one incident from January 8, 2021, the court was told Cox broke into and ransacked a house, stealing more than $25,000 worth of goods, including watches, figurines, cigarettes and keys.
And then in the house next door, Cox stole Christmas presents, jewellery, photographs, diaries and watches valued at more than $8000, the court was told.
Cox also stole money and bank cards from staff at a shopping centre and massage parlour.
On January 19, the court was told Cox broke into a home at Vale Park and stole a Suzuki while the owner’s son was at home.
The Suzuki was later found with “significant damage”.
The spree came to a head on January 30 when the police observed her driving a stolen vehicle.
They activated their lights and sirens and a wild chase ensued.
The court was told Cox drove along the Sturt Highway at speeds of more than 140km/h.
“While trying to evade police, they (the police) executed a U-turn, and you drove directly at the unmarked police car, requiring them to take evasive action to avoid a collision,” Judge Tracey said.
A helicopter was called in to track Cox as she wove in and out of traffic in a dangerous manner.
She stopped at a service station to fill up and drove off without paying.
She and a male eventually exited the vehicle and Cox ran off into a house in Greenwith, where she was arrested.
The court was told Cox had suffered what Judge Tracey called a “tragic” childhood where she “lived life without any real support”.
Both of her parents were drug addicts and Cox’s father served time for armed robbery.
The court was told Cox’s father had taken her along on his own crime sprees when she was a young child, using her as a “decoy”.
She was the victim of physical abuse from her stepfather and started using alcohol and cannabis at the age of 11 and then methamphetamine at the age of 12, the court was told.
She was placed into foster care when her mother was jailed.
She did not attend a mainstream high school.
At the age of 12, the court was told Cox had her first “intimate” relationship with a man aged 18.
“You described the relationship as toxic, with your partner a controlling and violent man who was supplying you with drugs,” Judge Tracey said.
Cox left with the man to Melbourne when a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Cox terminated the relationship and returned to South Australia at the age of 15.
In her early to mid 20s, she was in relationships with two men, and Cox said she was the victim of domestic violence from both, the court was told.
During her crime spree, the court was told Cox was regularly homeless, using drugs and suffering from “extreme paranoia, irrational thinking and mood swings”.
Judge Tracey said Cox had the potential to lead a positive lifestyle following her release from prison, but Judge Tracey remained “cautious” about her prospects for long-term rehabilitation.