Threats, messages land sister in court

A WARWICK woman has fronted court after a family dispute escalated into threats against her sister’s safety with menacing messages saying the other woman had “better watch herself”.

Warwick Magistrates Court was told Amy-Louise Courtney Lorkin targeted her sister via Instagram about 1pm on March 22.

Police prosecutor Steve de Lissa read the threatening message sent to the other woman to the court, stating it was driven by a family conflict.

“It said, ‘You think you’re a rough c--- for putting a statement on someone without knowing the situation first. I know where you live, I know you’re a snitch, so you’d better watch yourself’,” Sergeant de Lissa said.

Defence lawyer Amber Acreman told the court her client battled anxiety and depression, and at the time of making the threats was self-medicating with substances so had difficulty regulating her emotions.

Ms Acreman said Lorkin now had stable employment and was looking to relocate to be with her partner, and contended she was a low risk of reoffending given her minor criminal history.

“She described her actions in relation to this matter as embarrassing, humiliating and an example of where she butted her nose into something that didn’t even involve her,” Ms Acreman said.

“She had no business interfering or making any comment, and she accepts that in the clarity of sobriety and can quite articulately explain that she should have taken a different course.”

Lorkin pleaded guilty to one count of using a carriage service to menace, harass, or cause offence.

She was placed on a 12month good behaviour bond and no conviction was recorded.