A Warrnambool woman’s plan to lie to police about a stolen dog has been described in court as “clumsy” and “unsophisticated”.
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Joelene Watson, 44, pleaded guilty in Warrnambool County Court to breaching a court order and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Judge Mark Taft said Watson had concocted a “crude and unsophisticated story” which she falsely told police before telling her friend on social media to do the same.
He said the lie was a waste of police time and had landed Watson in the County Court unnecessarily.
Watson was convicted of all charges and ordered to be of good behaviour for 12 months.
Mr Taft said the gravity of the offending was “at the very lowest level”.
He said Watson had separated from her partner who she shared a dog named Axel with.
On November 11 2017, the complainant discovered Axel was not at home. Investigations revealed Watson had taken the dog from the property, which breached a court order imposed in May.
She told police Axel was found running on the road with another dog near her friend’s house.
“You then clumsily told your friend to tell the false story to police,” Mr Taft said.
“Unsurprisingly police were highly suspicious and when your friend attended the police station she wisely decided not to commit perjury.”
Mr Taft said Watson had gone through an “acrimonious” separation with her partner, who she was now back together with, and was very attached to the dog.
Watson was last year jailed for 45 days for assault and breaching court orders.
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