REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Friday June 1, 2007

IT was the vicious nature of her blackmail attempt, full of personal secrets and aimed at the highest politician in Queensland, which in the end meant Merri Rose was sent to prison.

The District Court in Brisbane was also told she was given time to withdraw her threat but did not.

Rose, then-52, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended after three months, for sending an oral threat to Premier Peter Beattie in October 2006.

After closed court testimony from an eminent psychiatrist, Crown prosecutor Paul Rutledge said the Crown accepted there was evidence Rose was suffering a major depressive disorder at the time.

He said it was up to Chief Judge Patsy Wolfe whether the depression amounted to an exceptional circumstance meaning Rose would avoid jail.

He argued the sentence should reflect the seriousness of the offence and actual jail time was warranted.

Defence barrister Michael Byrne, QC, said the psychiatric evidence was compelling and potent and Judge Wolfe should wholly suspend any jail term imposed.

During her 90-minute sentencing, Judge Wolfe said she had no doubt Rose had been depressed and frustrated by her inability to find a good job when she made the threat.

She said forensic psychiatrist Ian Curtis was highly respected and had examined Rose for two days before making his finding.

The court was told Rose had shown signs of suicidal thoughts and was drinking to excess in the months leading up to the blackmail.