Mum in court for threats to kill
"BREATHTAKINGLY stupid" is how a judge described the actions of a young mother who threatened to kill an assault victim and her family.
Dannielle Lauren Bowden unleashed a "blatant and persistent" attack on a 15-year-old girl who was assaulted by Bowden's friend.
The then 19-year-old repeatedly called the young victim on September 8 last year, pressuring her to drop the assault charges through a number of expletive-ridden tirades.
The Warwick District Court this week heard the girl left school early that day, after Bowden said she would be waiting at the gate at the end of the day.
When she was at home with her mother, Bowden called again, with the girl's mother instructing her to put the phone on speaker.
The court heard Bowden told the girl she would come to her house and made reference to vandalising it, while also threatening to kill her and her family.
Judge Greg Koppenol said the experience would have been frightening for the young girl and her mother.
"In any view that was a disgraceful and aggressive blatant attack on the complainant," he said.
Mr Koppenol told Bowden her actions were "breathtakingly stupid" and far more serious than the common assault charge she was trying to save her friend from.
Bowden told the court she was not thinking at the time but did it because she "didn't think the charges were fair".
The judge accepted Bowden now realised the severity of her actions.
Bowden pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert justice, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years in jail.
The now 20-year-old mother of two was sentenced to 18 months jail, wholly suspended for two years.
Judge Koppenol warned Bowden any reoffending during the two years would "almost certainly" see her serve at least 18 months behind bars.
