Community service for woman who threatened to kill her sister

Friday 27 October 2017

A 53-year-old woman who made "explicit" threats to kill her sister has been sentenced to 120 hours community service and given 12 months' probation.

Susan Ann Louis also received a three-year restraining order which prevents her from contacting her sister directly or indirectly.

Legal adviser Susie Sharpe told the court that between 26 and 27 September, Louis sent messages to her sister threatening to kill her and instructed her to say goodbye to her children. After she was arrested, Louis made full admissions to all the messages sent and the threats to kill, and confirmed to officers  "...she had an intention of doing it and would still do it."

Advocate Jonathan Turnbull who was defending Louis said that she needed help with her problems which had recently exacerbated. He urged the court to treat the incident as a "blip" considering all the progress she had recently made. He said that after Louis was sent to prison for a grave and criminal assault, she was described as a "model prisoner." 

He added that even though alcohol wasn't an issue in this particular incident, Louis had been engaging proactively with the alcohol and drugs service. He also told the court Louis had been doing voluntary work which had increased structure in her life and helped her address previous issues.

He asked the Magistrate Bridget Shaw to consider a community service order, saying, "There are a number of difficulties that could be dealt with proactively in relation with the probation service. What she hopes to gain in being imposed work is learn how to deal with situations where she is upset, unhappy, or feels threatened. Work is very important for her to be able to continue the progress she has made since June last year. She is determined to continue her progress and wants to make the best of any opportunity."

The Magistrate then told Louis: "I have to conclude this is a serious matter because you have made very explicit threats, not just that you would harm your sister but very explicit threats.That must have caused great anxiety, particularly in light of your conviction for grave and criminal assault where you used a knife. Your sister must have believed there was a real risk you could possibly do great harm to her."

After noting that Louis had cooperated well while in custody and after being released, she imposed a probation order as well as 120 hours community service, saying that the priority was to work with the probation service. She told Louis this would include Family Care, where she would be able to talk about how she relates with her sister and how her mother and sister relate to her, stating,  "We really can’t have the situation carrying on where they are scared of you. A lot of work needs to be done there."

She also imposed a restraining order preventing Louis from contacting her sister either directly or indirectly for the next three years, unless the probation service deems that contact be made.