‘Floored’ by false claims

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2019 themercury.com.au SUBSCRIPTIONS 1300 696 397 AN Eastern Shore man accused of family violence offences later found to be false has told a court of the stress and anxiety the accusations caused, and the fear of police he developed.

Katherine Erica Brown, 38, of Margate, pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court in Hobart yesterday to two counts of perverting justice.

The court heard Brown made two false allegations of family violence against her former partner, Ian Roberts, one in August 2017 and another in January last year, including that he stabbed her to the stomach.

Crown prosecutor Liz Avery read to the court a victim impact statement written by Mr Roberts.

“The day the police first came to my home and I was first arrested, I was really knocked to the floor … For reasons I can’t explain, I quickly developed a fear of the police,” Mr Roberts said.

He said he was unable to find help because he was seen as the perpetrator.

“I have suffered a history of depression but just before this happened I felt my mental health was the best it had ever been,” he said.

Mr Roberts said he enjoyed volunteer work but the allegations meant his working with vulnerable people card was revoked and he was unable to continue. He also said he has scarcely spent any time alone since his arrest because he felt he always needed to be able to verify where he was.

Ms Avery said a police family violence order was put in place against Mr Roberts after Brown made the first allegation. She said a significant police investigation was undertaken and the allegations were found to be false.

Ms Avery said the Crown did not accept Brown’s assertion that there had been violence in the relationship when Brown and Mr Roberts were together.

“We accept that Ms Brown, for whatever reason, may believe that there has been,” she said.

Brown’s lawyer Claire Flockhart said a psychologist’s report indicated Brown exhibited symptoms consistent with complex post-traumatic stress disorder, and had other mental health difficulties.

Justice Stephen Estcourt revoked the family violence order and ordered a pre-sentence report that will examine whether Brown’s crimes were motivated by her mental health.

He said if the motivation was deliberate and not affected by psychological factors it was “very serious”.

Brown’s bail was continued until her next court appearance in November.