Former NT courts worker Cynthia Thompson charged with disclosing confidential information

A former Territory court worker whose job it was to provide journalists with details of cases has been charged with disclosing confidential information.

Cynthia Thompson has been charged with disclosing confidential information in the course of her role as court media liaison.

A former media liaison for the Territory courts has been accused of disclosing confidential information during the course of her work.

Cynthia Jane Thompson was the courts’ public relations officer until about April this year, a role that involves assisting journalists with details of ongoing and upcoming cases.

The 54-year-old faced the Darwin Local Court on Monday charged with disclosure of confidential information and publishing the name of a protected child during her dealings with the media.

Her case is set for a hearing later in the year, when four police officers and the head of Justice Services NT, Chris Cox, are expected to be called to give evidence.

An interstate judge from New South Wales will preside over the case, the court heard, given Thompson’s close association with the local judiciary.

Chief Judge Elizabeth Morris said while “obviously Ms Thompson is known to myself” she did not believe “that precludes me from dealing with this matter” in the lead up to the hearing.

“A concern I have is if any of the (local) judges are witnesses,” Ms Morris said.

A draft witness list was expected to be confirmed next week, the court heard.

Defence lawyer Peter Maley expected the hearing would “be done in a day”.

“It won’t be a long hearing,” he said.

“There is some material that is not in dispute that will make a significant difference to this matter.”

Thompson will return to court next week for a directions hearing.