Court told of deputy mayor’s ‘silly lapse’
THE Deputy Mayor of Launceston has walked free from court after a magistrate dismissed his actions as a “silly lapse” in judgment.
Robert Ian Soward, 48, a former White Ribbon ambassador, pleaded guilty to a charge of using a carriage service to harass another person.
He was accused of approaching cosmetic surgery providers using the contact details of a former female partner requesting information on plastic surgery, liposuction and advice on weight loss.
“The complainant received more than 100 unwanted communications from organis- ations and businesses,” Magistrate Simon Brown said before ordering that the complaint be dismissed. “I accept that the offence was a silly lapse and that the defendant is highly unlikely to reoffend.
“The defendant’s reputation has been significantly damaged and loss of status is a consideration in sentencing.”
Defence counsel Tim Ellis SC had sought a non-conviction on the charge.
Mr Brown said that Mr Soward’s employment with an education and training service provider may be in jeopardy.
The Launceston Magistrates Court heard that Mr Soward and a former partner had fallen out in May 2016.
Commonwealth prosecutor Pat Doyle said Mr Soward made more than 100 communications with the cosmetic surgery providers between May 26, 2016, and July 4, 2016.
The court heard that the complainant at first believed it to be a work colleague playing a prank but then became scared because she did not know who was behind the communications.
After she reported the problem to police a raid was conducted on Mr Soward’s home and a computer seized.
In an interview with police he admitted his behaviour was childish, immature and silly but said he did not think it would scare the woman.
Mr Soward told police that after the falling out he had received emails about Russian brides, penis enlargement and sexually transmitted disease treatments.
Mr Brown said it had been unchallenged by prosecution that the woman had revealed that she had done such things in the past to other former partners.
“His intention was to repay not to frighten,” he said.
He said Mr Soward was a man of good character and had no prior convictions. No conviction was recorded.