Debra Maree Jones ordered to hand herself in to police after court no-show excuse thrown out
A woman accused of ten animal cruelty charges — some relating to chickens — must turn herself in to police after her excuse for not showing up to court was thrown out. LATEST >
Tasmania
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A woman accused of animal cruelty must turn herself in to police after her excuse for not turning up to court was thrown out by a magistrate.
Debra Maree Jones, 62, was set to appear in Hobart Magistrates Court on Wednesday to enter pleas to ten animal cruelty related charges.
But despite being ordered to appear, Jones did not show up to court.
The court was told that Jones had left a message claiming she had high blood pressure and was “stressed and anxious” about her date in court.
No medical certificate was said to be provided.
In a phone call broadcast to the courtroom, Jones claimed the Director of Public Prosecutions had in a letter told her that she could appear by phone.
But Prosecutor for the Crown Anna Hogan told Magistrate Marcia Duvnjak that option was only valid if a medical certificate had been provided.
The court heard Jones had not appeared for her last court appearance but had provided a medical certificate.
Jones told Ms Duvnjak that she had tried to get a doctor’s appointment, but one had not been available until next week.
Ms Duvnjak was not persuaded by Jones’ excuse, telling Jones it was “not adequate”.
“Most people who come to court are stressed, because it’s not a very nice (experience),” Ms Duvnjak said.
Among Jones’ charges are seven counts of cruelty to animals, and single counts of using a method of management reasonably likely to result in unreasonable and unjustifiable pain or suffering to an animal or animals in a group.
She is also charged with failing to dispose of animal carcasses within a reasonable time of discovery, and allowing a ruminant to have access to restricted animal material.
The Mercury understands some charges specifically relate to chickens.
Court documents state the charges span dates in January and March 2022, at Brighton and Bagdad locations.
Jones was ordered to hand herself in to police.
She will return to court at a later date.
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