Mum sentenced for violent burglary of pensioner

A mum-of-five who used two standover men to demand money from an innocent pensioner has been sentenced after the thugs wounded the victim with a bow and arrow.

A mum-of-five who used two standover men to demand money from an innocent pensioner, has avoided a possible life sentence after the thugs wounded the victim with a bow and arrow.

Woodridge serial offender Tammy Muriel Price, 46, pleaded guilty at Beenleigh District Court on Friday to burglary and demanding property with menaces with intent to steal and entering a dwelling with intent.

Additional charges of unlawfully wounding another and unlawful assault occasioning bodily harm while in company were dismissed.

The court heard Price on February 25, 2018, entered a 69-year-old man’s residence in Slacks Creek while accompanied by a family member and demanded $240 she falsely believed the pensioner owed her son.

When the unsuspecting victim told her he had no idea what she was on about, Price called in the services of two standover men.

The court was told a then 42-year-old Price “ordered” the men, described as “burly” and at least six-foot tall, around in the man’s residence for an hour.

After little success, the men pushed the pensioner off his bed but would flee when he grabbed a knife to defend himself, according to prosecutors.

Price was initially charged with unlawful wounding, as the men returned to the victim’s residence where they injured him with a bow and arrow in a revenge attack.

Woodridge serial offender Tammy Murial Price, 46, has been sentenced for the violent burglary of pensioner. Picture: Facebook.

The charge, which the court heard carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, was dismissed when the prosecution confirmed Price was not present during the subsequent wounding.

Neither of the attackers were charged or identified, according to Crown prosecutor Michael Gawrych.

Mr Gawrych noted Price had a significant criminal history which featured prison sentences for using stolen vehicles and drug offending before and after her 2018 offending.

The court heard Price was currently serving a separate prison sentence for other offending with a full time release date of January 18, 2023.

Defence barrister Kate Juhasz acknowledged her client’s lengthy criminal history but noted it did not feature violence.

Ms Juhasz submitted Price was herself threatened by two men for the owed money but this was challenged by Judge Jennifer Rosengren, who noted the defendant ordered the burly men around for an hour.

The court heard Price had lived an otherwise difficult life, having suffered significant domestic violence, and would live with her adult children upon release.

Ms Rosengren acknowledged Price’s struggles but denounced her for her “disgraceful standover tactics”.

Price was sentenced to 18 months’ prison, with immediate parole granted cumulatively on her current prison sentence ending in January.

In sentencing Ms Rosengren took the 322 days the defendant had served in pre-sentence custody into account, but did not declare it as time served.

Upon her release next year, Price would have the 18-month prison sentence hanging over her head for 18 months, the court was told.

A conviction was recorded.