A young woman has avoided jail after being talked into delivering flowers and a greeting card to a burglary victim in a calculated scheme to prevent him from testifying in court.
Chloe Anne Brown, 24, was sentenced to a 12-month community correction order with 56 hours of community service after helping orchestrate the intimidation plot directed by her imprisoned partner.
The Supreme Court heard how Mitchell Noel Allie, who was in custody for burglary, theft and arson charges, turned what appeared to be an innocent gesture of apology into a threatening message designed to keep his victim away from court.
In June 2023, Allie instructed Brown through recorded prison phone calls to purchase flowers and a “sorry” card for his victim.
He dictated exactly what she should write and specified that a phone number should be included on the card.
Brown and her father followed the detailed instructions, buying the flowers and card before sitting in their car to write the message: “Hey mate give me a call, cheers.”
The bouquet and card were left on the victim’s doorstep at his Sorell home, with “Ton” written on the envelope.
When the victim’s niece called the provided number, Brown’s father delivered the real message: “Tony’s got a court case coming up, let him know he’s not to show up.”
Justice Helen Wood said the use of flowers and a greeting card made the intimidation attempt particularly deceptive.
“The conduct has the potential to deter witnesses from attending court and giving evidence, particularly if they have been subject to violent and criminal offending by the perpetrator,” she said.
“The crime is regarded seriously by the courts because of its capacity to undermine the operation of the justice system and the risk that offenders may go unpunished.”
The judge noted that Brown was just 21 years old and pregnant when she was roped into participating in the scheme by her partner.
Allie, who orchestrated the plot from prison, received nine months’ imprisonment for his role in the intimidation attempt.
