Woman had ‘gift’ sword in racquet case

A WOMAN who was publicly caught by police carrying a sword enclosed within a tennis racquet case was gifted it, a court has heard.

Melissa Fay Lana Thompson fronted Townsville Magistrates Court via video link last Tuesday where she was sentenced for a string of offences, including one count of possession of a knife in a public place, and one count of obstructing a police officer.

The court heard her offending fell into two periods, one in which she breached her probation order.

Magistrate Richard Lehmann said the woman had run away from police and when they located her, found in her possession medication which she did not have a prescription for, including morphine.

She was also found to have a kitchen knife, which was not a gift like the sword she was caught with.

Mr Lehmann said the woman’s defence had outlined her history of being a victim of abuse.

The court heard Thompson had been subjected to abuse as a child as well, which had caused her to turn to drugs.

She had substance abuse problems and unstable accommodation because of risks posed to her safety by her partner. Mr Lehmann declared the 55 days Thompson had spent in pre-sentence custody as time already served.

Mr Lehmann sentenced Thompson to four months imprisonment, to be suspended for six months.

He also sentenced her to a 12-month probation order to assist her with rehabilitation.

“Quite clearly, I’ve dealt with you on the basis of your offending,” Mr Lehmann told her.

“While they’re quite numerous offences, they’re at the lower end.

“You need to be clear now if any offences by you even of a lower level, it’s probably going to attract terms of imprisonment.

“You need to deal with those issues, and that’s what probation is there for.”

The parole eligibility date was set for April 16, 2019.

YOU NEED TO BE CLEAR NOW IF ANY OFFENCES BY YOU EVEN OF A LOWER LEVEL, IT’S PROBABLY GOING TO ATTRACT TERMS OF IMPRISONMENT.

MAGISTRATE RICHARD LEHMANN