Ex-NAAJA employee Samantha Alampi, 37, facing more than a decade in jail if found guilty

The ex-NAAJA employee accused of assisting a parolee – who’s previously been charged with manslaughter – escape custody could be behind bars for more than a decade – if she’s found guilty.

Alice Springs Local Court. Picture: Gera Kazakov

An ex-NAAJA employee accused of assisting an escaped parolee during his freedom foray in Alice Springs has appeared back in court, where she’s fighting charges which could see her spend more than decade in prison if she’s found guilty.

Samantha Alampi, 37, had their matter back in the Alice Springs Local Court on Thursday.

Ms Alampi has been charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice; obstructing an officer of the court; and hindering a member of the police force.

If found guilty, she could face up to 14 years in prison.

NAAJA senior officer Samantha Alampi at the Diplomat Hotel, Alice Springs. Picture: Supplied.

Ms Alampi is alleged to have assisted a 20-year-old escaped parolee after he cut off his ankle monitor and breached his parole in Alice Springs in November last year.

In the wake of the pair allegedly being found together, the man was sent back to custody after a brief court appearance before Judge David Woodroffe in the Alice Springs Local Court.

When the man was 16, he was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for manslaughter.

He was also given a four month non-parole period, but at his court appearance last year Judge Woodroffe ordered he “serve the balance of the order”.

On Thursday, Ms Alampi was not present in court during her brief preliminary examination mention.

Alice Springs Local Court. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Prosecutor Andrew Lonergan sought an adjournment for the matter, which Ms Alampi’s defence lawyer Greg Betts did not oppose.

Ms Alampi was first in court on January 15. She has not entered a plea at either of her mentions in court.

Prior to being charged in November last year, she was an employee with the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA).

After she was charged, NAAJA chief executive Anthony Bevan confirmed she had resigned from her role at the legal agency.

Ms Alampi previously held roles in the Alice Supreme and Local Court, and was working as a parole and probation officer prior to being charged.

Judge Carly Ingles adjourned her matter to May 1, and enlarged her bail.

Ms Alampi is excused from the next hearing if legally represented.