IMPACTS of COVID-19 and special circumstances played part in a Mount Gambier Magistrates Court decision to release a repeat offender on home detention this week.
Temeika Saylor-Smith, 33, appeared in the Mount Gambier courtroom via video-link on Monday after breaching bail conditions in January last year.
Prosecution alleged Saylor-Smith breached an intervention order by being within 100 metres of a protected person’s residential address.
Magistrate Maria Panagiotidis ordered the defendant be released on home detention bail with Saylor-Smith’s grandfather acting as responsible supervision.
“She is a young person who has been in custody for a long time,” she said.
“There is a responsible adult and she will be strictly monitored so any breach of bail will be easily evident.
“If the defendant has ever had a last chance, this is it.”
The court heard in December last year, Saylor-Smith also faced court with aggravated assault and carrying an offensive weapon charges.
“It will be like you are in jail but from your own home … home detention is a last resort,” Magistrate Panagiotidis said.
The judge said she also considered the different situation the world was in given the current coronavirus crisis.
“Your client’s conduct is appalling and she is in custody for a very good reason,” Mag Panagiotidis told defence counsel.
“She is lucky she has her grandfather who is willing to stand up for her. I am willing to give her a second chance.”
Saylor-Smith was granted bail and ordered to be released from the Adelaide Women’s Prison on home detention at the sum of $500.
Mag Panagiotidis said Saylor-Smith would be electronically monitored and under supervision by a corrections officer and was not allowed to leave the Mount Gambier address unless there was an emergency.
She was also ordered to attend counselling, not use a mobile phone or electronic device and not consume alcohol, illegal or prescribed drugs.
Saylor-Smith was also ordered to comply with any intervention orders in place.
The defendant is due to appear in court again on May 5.
