Eneeka Laurie sentenced in Lismore court for perverting the course of justice

A Lismore woman has landed in court after lying to police about an incident at Nimbin. She said she was fearful of what would happen if she spoke out.

Eneeka Laurie, 28, was sentenced for perverting the course of justice and failing to appear in accordance with bail conditions. Picture: Cathy Adams

A Lismore woman who lied to police to get an ex-partner a lighter jail term out of fear of abuse has faced court.

Eneeka Laurie, 28, was sentenced at Lismore Local Court on Tuesday for perverting the course of justice and failing to appear in accordance with bail conditions.

She pleaded guilty to the charges.

Following an incident at Nimbin on July 30, 2021, Laurie’s ex-partner, 21-year-old East Lismore man Cody Bradley, was charged with common assault and possession of a firearm in a public place.

The next day at Laurie’s sister’s house, where police arrested Bradley, Laurie told officers two other men were responsible for the offending related to an incident at Nimbin.

Police facts state they found a bag of bloody clothes at Laurie’s sister’s house, which Laurie claimed had been dropped off “for washing” by the two men she connected with the Nimbin incident.

But the pair she blamed were in custody at the time of the offending – making it impossible for them to have been involved.

Laurie faced Lismore Local Court. Picture: Cathy Adams.

“The actions of the accused in knowingly providing a false statement to police are deliberately deceitful and done with the intention of hindering the investigation,” police facts state.

Bradley pleaded guilty to the assault and firearm charges in October last year, and was sentenced to an 18-month term of imprisonment and released on parole on November 16, 2022.

On August 4, 2021, Laurie was arrested at her sister’s home. The sister was not charged.

When she was taken back to the police station she confessed to lying in her witness statement, facts state.

The court heard she had given a false statement out of a mixture of loyalty and fear of her former partner Bradley and his family.

Magistrate Michael Dakin said Laurie and Bradley’s relationship was “characterised by violence”.

Laurie was trying to protect her ex, the court heard. Picture: iStock

The court heard that Bradley had “violently assaulted” Laurie in the past, which resulted in her losing two teeth.

Laurie was scared of what might happen to her if she “snitched” on her former partner, the court heard.

But Mr Dakin said: “An offence motivated by loyalty is not less severe”.

He noted Laurie had already spent two months remanded in custody where she had engaged in programs to help her get away from drugs and bad influences in her life.

The court heard that Bradley had “violently assaulted” Laurie in the past, which resulted in her losing two teeth.

The prosecution said Laurie had gotten away from Bradley and she had a good chance of rehabilitation if she abstained from drugs.

Laurie was sentenced to an 18-month intensive corrections order (ICO) and 200 hours of community service.

Mr Dakin warned her that if she breached any of her ICO conditions she would go to jail.

“This is an opportunity for you,” he said.

Laurie called out from the holding cell that she would do everything Mr Dakin had instructed.

“Thank you so much, your honour,” she yelled.

Originally published as Eneeka Laurie sentenced in Lismore court for perverting the course of justice