Tasmanian Woman Who Harassed, Abused Gay Couple Gets Six Weeks Suspended Sentence
When Tony and Doug (names changed for privacy), a gay couple, who had lived interstate and overseas, moved to a small rural town in Southern Tasmania, they were looking forward to life away from the fast pace they were used to.
What they did not bargain was for a year-long campaign of harassment and homophobic abuse directed at them by their next-door neighbour.
A court in Tasmania recently held the woman guilty of anti-gay abuse and sentenced her to six weeks in prison. The Hobart Magistrates Court suspended the sentence for a period of two years subject to good behaviour, which means that if she re-offends, she will go straight to prison.
The gay couple’s troubles started after a disagreement with their next-door neighbour over a small issue. Then began the harassment, which included their neighbour chopping down plants in their yard, ripping their fence, shouting homophobic slurs at the couple and stuffing their mailbox with condoms and lubricant, reported The Examiner.
