Prank caller spared jail

A WOMAN has narrowly escaped being sent back to prison after making more than 150 prank calls to triple- 0.

Susan Donna Daniells, 32, was sentenced in the District Court of Townsville yesterday for using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.

The court heard the woman made 154 calls to triple- 0 between December 9, 2016, and January 26, 2017.

Judge Greg Lynham sentenced her to 12 months in prison and released her on a $ 500 reconnaissance on the condition she be of good behaviour and complete 18 months probation.

Judge Lynham said he took into account 134 days already spent in custody.

The court heard Daniells repeatedly called triple- 0 be- fore verbally abusing the operator.

Judge Lynham said despite the best efforts of the courts she had continued to reoffend and she was lucky to not be returning to prison.

He said she also had significant psychological issues including a diagnosis of obsessive compulsive disorder.

“Your offending and using the triple- 0 service in the way you have is inexcusable,” he said. “I’d like to think Ms Daniells in times of you being lucid you would well understand the triple- 0 service is a very important service.

“The last thing the police need is for people like you repeatedly ringing the triple- 0 number and abusing the operators who are just doing their jobs.

“It’s unacceptable. There is no excuse for it and the fact you have a long history of engaging in this sort of conduct is very concerning for me.”

Defence Barrister Harvey Walters said his client’s offending was a cry for help.

“She has been very depressed and the offending behaviour reflects the fact that she is having difficulty with her life and when she has those difficulties, the offending starts,” he said.

“I really think it’s ‘ I can’t cope, take me into custody’.

“The problem is this your honour, she doesn’t have a happy time in custody either.

“The mental health issues don’t go away, they just manifest themselves in another way.”