William Ashley Thorne pleads guilty to two counts of extortion
Rather than resolve the disagreement through the proper channels, a Toowoomba man made a series of threats that left his victim living in fear and constantly watching over her shoulder.
Toowoomba
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A dispute over a damaged car engine has landed a man in court, after he threatened to kill the woman who he mistakenly thought was responsible.
In 2024, William Ashley Thorne borrowed his parents’ car and was with the complainant when she poured coolant into the vehicle.
Several days later the vehicle stopped working, and Thorne assumed it was the result of her actions.
Rather than seek restitution through the proper channels, the 28-year-old Toowoomba man phoned the woman on two occasions and demanded she pay for the repairs.
During a call on July 6, 2024 Thorne threatened to kill her, and on August 13, 2024 he threatened to damage her partner’s vehicle.
The matter was reported to the police and Thorne was charged with two counts of extortion.
He fronted Toowoomba District Court on Tuesday to plead guilty to the offences.
In a victim impact statement read to the court, the woman said she lived in fear for a long time.
“I was looking over my shoulder and checking the rear view mirror,” the statement said.
“I never felt at ease until I moved to a new town.”
Acting for the defence, barrister Tristan Carlos said his client suffered from ADHD and significant learning disabilities, but was nonetheless able to graduate from Harristown State High School and hold down employment.
“There have been long term issues with impulse control and emotional outbursts,” Mr Carlos said.
Judge Dennis Lynch admonished Thorne for his behaviour that in his view was “without any proper foundation”.
“The law provides adequate ways to deal with those things, not to take matters into their own hands and make threats to kill,” he said.
Thorne was sentenced to two years in jail, which was wholly suspended for two years.
Originally published as William Ashley Thorne pleads guilty to two counts of extortion
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