Upon returning to Australia, Leslie stated police had planted the drugs in her bag and then demanded a US$25,000 bribe to avoid going to prison, which she could not afford to pay.
[4] She soon emerged as one of the "most prominent catwalk and catalogue models" in Adelaide,[5] working for stores such as David Jones, Harris Scarfe and Myer.
[2][6][7] In 2000, she appeared as one of the 20 finalists in the first series of the Australian Search for a Supermodel reality show, and was first runner-up in the 2000 Miss World Australia pageant held in Darwin.
[8] Off the catwalks she gained prominence as one of the two models involved in a 2004 advertising campaign for Antz Pantz underwear and, prior to this, as the face of the Crystelle lingerie brand.
[9] On 21 August 2005, Leslie was travelling in a vehicle to an open-air dance party at Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park on the Indonesian island of Bali.
[20] Professor Catharine Lumby, then head of media studies at the University of Sydney, said many Australians would have sympathy for Leslie, and predicted she would be highly sought out by companies for modelling after returning to Australia, as she would be perceived as a "cult figure".
She instead freely gave her handbag to police on request, whom she accused of planting the drugs and then demanding a US$25,000 bribe to make the charges disappear.
[22] Leslie believes police targeted her on the belief she was wealthy and well connected because she was a model; her parents had to mortgage their home to help pay her legal fees, which came close to AU$300,000.
Her lawyer subsequently advised her to plead guilty, saying that such tactics were commonly used by police in Bali and she would likely spend 15 years in prison if she maintained her innocence.
Her conversion and choice of dress sparked debate among Australian Muslims, some of whom accused her of using Islam as a stunt to gain the court's favour.
[21] Her lawyer offered an apology to any Muslims who were offended, saying that Leslie had worn the clothes to avoid unwanted attention from the prison guards and journalists.
[27] In the 60 Minutes interview, Leslie stated she wore Islamic clothing because she was afraid of being sexually assaulted by male prison guards, and to protect herself when she faced the media.
[23] Shortly thereafter she travelled to Cambodia to help raise money for the charity Krousar Thmey, meeting with King Norodom Sihamoni and spending time in local orphanages.
[23][28] Leslie arrived back in Australia shortly before Australian Fashion Week, and returned to the catwalk there for the first time in April 2006, modelling swimwear for designer Michael Azzollini.
Working with her friend Traci Griffith, they experienced early success when their first range of clothing and accessories sold out shortly after being launched.