Editor Applied for Personal Violence Order

THE editor of scone.com.au, Elizabeth Flaherty of Scone, has applied for a personal violence order, following Linda Richardson of Bunnan, attending her private residence on November 29.

The grounds of the application are as follows:

The applicant is the publisher of an online news service www.scone.com.au. This service includes reports of proceedings at Scone Local Court. The Defendant’s son appeared at Scone Local Court on 24.11.2016. Details of his court appearance were included in the Court Report published on www.scone.com.au. The Defendant’s son and some of his friends have participated in the online forum. Yesterday afternoon 29.11.2016 the Defendant attended the Applicant’s home address. During the course of the conversation the Defendant said, “I came around here so that Tom would not come around because you would not want Tom coming around here.” Later during the conversation about what can be published online the Defendant said, “How would you feel if your kids were being victimised like this?” The Defendant then moved towards the front door saying “Alright I’m going in to your children to yell at them. Would that be OK?” The Applicant blocked the Defendant’s path. The Defendant said, “You are such a hypocrite. I’m so angry at you I’m shaking. You might want to start looking after your children.” The Applicant said, “Enough! Get off my property!” The Applicant asked the Defendant to leave numerous times before calling for assistance from her husband.

When the matter went before Magistrate Prowse on Thursday, December 22 the Magistrate referred the matter in the first instance to the community justice centre for mediation and adjourned the matter until January 19.

Magistrate Prowse asked if Ms Flaherty wanted an undertaking from Mrs Richardson to abide by the undertakings given and accepted in accordance with the order sought in the meantime, which she said she would.

George Fraser, Mrs Richardson’s solicitor said Mrs Richardson would agree to point one which was:

1: The defendant must not do any of the following to the protected person(s) or anyone they have a domestic relationship with:

1. assault or threaten her/him/them
2. stalk, harass or intimidate her/him/them, and
3. intentionally or recklessly destroy or damage property that belongs to or is in the possession of the protected person(s).

However, Mr Fraser said Mrs Richardson would not agree to points 2 and 3 which were as follows:

2: The defendant must not approach the protected person(s) or contact her/him/them in any way, unless the contact is through a lawyer.

3: The defendant must not approach:

1. the school or any other place the protected person(s) might go to for study
2. any place the protected person(s) might go to for childcare, or
3. any other place listed here:

After reviewing points 2 and 3 Magistrate Prowse said the undertaking by Mrs Richardson should include those conditions and asked Mr Fraser if Mrs Richardson would commit to that undertaking, which Mrs Richardson did.

Staff of scone.com.au have their direct contact details listed on the website however people visiting their private residences, which are not publicised, is unwelcomed. Threats towards the staff of scone.com.au will not be tolerated and will be referred to the police and proper legal processes.

Read: Previous Court Reports.

Update: February 25, 2017: Following mediation with the community justice centre Ms Elizabeth Flaherty felt comfortable to withdraw the application for an apprehended violence order against Ms Richardson. Under mediation there is a confidentiality agreement.