Melinda Maree Orchard sentenced role in ‘disgraceful act’ after inflicting ‘terrifying’ kidnapping and assault on woman

A 51-year-old Warwick woman has been sentenced for the ‘inhumane’ role she played in the abduction and assault of a young woman, which included torture and bestiality. WARNING: DISTRESSING.

Melinda Maree Orchard being taken into custody on Monday after pleading guilty to eight charges

A Warwick woman has been sentenced for her role in aiding and enabling in “inhumane” acts committed during the kidnapping of a woman.

Melinda Maree Orchard pleaded guilty in Warwick District Court on August 7 to eight charges related to the horrific night of terror that was inflicted on a young woman.

The charges included one count each of kidnapping, extortion, bestiality, stealing and possessing used utensils.

Further, the 51-year-old pleaded guilty to three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm while armed and in company.

The court was told that between February 25-26, 2022, Orchard, acting as an accomplice to her co-offender Duane Edward Nixon, participated in kidnapping and assaulting a young woman, holding her captive for eight to nine hours.

The court was told that on the night of February 25, Nixon went to the home of a Warwick woman, and at knifepoint threatened her to get into his car.

He was later joined by Orchard, who drove to an address where the pair began to commit “depraved” physical abuse on the victim, including striking her legs with a metal object to prevent escape as well as “degrading and humiliating” acts.

Sickeningly, Orchard was instrumental in forcing the woman to engage in sex acts with a dog, which was all filmed by the two offenders.

Melinda Maree Orchard being taken into custody on Monday after pleading guilty to eight charges

In June, Nixon pleaded guilty to one charge of kidnapping, sexual assault, stealing, extortion, bestiality as well as two charges of torture, and three charges of assault occasioning bodily harm while armed in company and rape, and was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with a non-parole period of eight years.

It was revealed the ordeal inflicted upon the woman was Nixon’s attempt to get a false confession from the woman that would have cleared him from another unrelated matter and to “implicate another party” in the crime.

On Monday, the court was told how Orchard “was equal to Nixon in regards to the bestiality charge”, including a sex act with a dog, which the mum-of-three filmed and threatened to release.

Crown prosecutor Teagan Little told the court that Orchard was an “active participant” and was “directly involved” in the disturbing sex act involving the dog.

Orchard’s defence lawyer Nicholas Brown said Nixon was the “main perpetrator of the offending”, and that Orchard was not present during Nixon’s act of rape.

“She has two pages of criminal history, with no like offending. She was fearful of Nixon and played a role in the offending,” Mr Brown told the court.

Mr Brown noted that while Orchard had been in custody, she had shown steps to be rehabilitated, including bible studies and completing certificates.

Melinda Maree Orchard being taken into custody on Monday after pleading guilty to eight charges

Judge Terry Gardiner quoted Judge Dennis Lynch KC’s remarks from the sentencing of Nixon, saying the ordeal was “inhumane” an “unspeakable act of cruelty”.

Judge Gardiner described the offending as “protractive,” “terrifying” and “inhumane”, particularly the recording aspect.

Quoting the victim impact statement, Judge Gardiner said “there was no question the victim suffered and continues to suffer significant mental and physical trauma as a result of your conduct”.

“Read the victim impact statement and reflect on it,” Judge Gardiner told Orchard moments before she was sentenced.

Orchard was sentenced to six years in jail, with eligibility of parole after two, with Judge Gardiner declaring her 527 days in custody as time served.

Orchard will be eligible for parole on February 25, 2024.