Tasmyn Jade Weaver threatened to set man’s car on fire if he did not pay up $2000

A judge has warned a woman who planned to set a man’s car on fire over $2k posed a serious threat to Townsville as he sentenced her in court.

A YOUNG woman who threatened to set fire to a man’s car unless he coughed up $2k has been told she needs to “grow up”.

Tasmyn Jade Weaver, 24, had her charge of extortion dropped in Townsville District Court, replaced instead by a count of demanding property with menaces.

The court heard after loaning his car to a friend around March 6 last year, it was stolen.

After making posts on Facebook community pages where he offered a reward for information about the car’s whereabouts, he received a text from a person who asked how much it would cost for his car to be returned.

Crown Prosecutor Tom Hancock said while it was not alleged Weaver had stolen the car, the man later met with her and a male co-offender to discuss its return.

The man withdrew $2000 from his account to pay to get his own car back.

“In the course of that meeting (Weaver) told the complainant that to get his car back, you will need to pay $2000, and that agreement was reached,” Mr Hancock said.

While on the way to withdraw cash, with Weaver and her co-offender following in another car, the man pulled over and told them he wasn’t happy to pay.

But Weaver said if he didn’t, he might find his car “burnt out” the next day.

He later paid $2000 to Weaver, who took him to his car.

Mr Hancock said there was an element of “skulduggery” to Weaver’s offending.

“The threat of arson is a particularly serious one in context of Townsville residents,” he said.

Defence barrister Dane Marley pointed out there had been no violence involved, and despite Weaver’s criminal history, she was now employed and no longer using drugs.

Mr Marley submitted Weaver understood the car had been stolen and onsold for $2000, but she had not financially gained from the transaction, and had offered to pay compensation.

Judge John Coker acknowledged Weaver’s circumstances but said she needed to grow up if she wanted to avoid actual jail time.

“With the greatest respect – though it may not sound respectful – you need, if you have not already done so, to grow up,” Judge Coker said.

Weaver was sentenced to nine months’ jail, wholly suspended for one year, and ordered to pay $2000 compensation.

Originally published as Tasmyn Jade Weaver threatened to set man’s car on fire if he did not pay up $2000