Arson getaway driver, Laurie Butters, spared jail with promise to testify

A meth-addicted getaway driver’s promise to testify against her co-accused has saved her from prison. Laurie Butters, 42, was convicted of criminal damage by fire in Busselton District Court January 31 after she helped two alleged arsonists flee the scene of a crime. Butters is said to have picked up 27-year-old David Levi Love and 20-year-old Shannon Margaret Houlihan after they allegedly set fire to a Subaru Impreza parked under the bridge in Wonnerup. The March 2020 blaze destroyed the bridge, causing $3million worth of damage which police said was part of a plan for Mr Love and Ms Houlihan to collect insurance money for the destroyed car. The mother-of-four attempted to dodge responsibility during her court appearance on Monday, with her lawyer telling the court she didn’t know she was the getaway driver until after the fact. However the argument fell apart when Judge Laurence Levy pointed out her argument neither aligned with her sworn statement to police or her plea of guilty. Ultimately she conceded she had realised what her alleged co-accused had done once she arrived at Wonnerup Bridge but still chose to drive the pair away despite the flames and smoke at the scene. It was revealed to the court that Butters chose to go to police about the incident after a threat from Mr Love to “keep her mouth shut” and an overwhelming feeling of guilt after seeing the media stories and police calls for information. The court was also told Butters had fallen back into an addiction to methamphetamine after a domestic violence assault caused her to develop post-traumatic stress disorder, both of which left her vulnerable. Butters promised to testify against her co-accused during their upcoming trial, which ultimately saved her from prison time. Judge Levy sentenced her to a discounted nine-month conditionally suspended prison term. “You well and truly knew they caused the bridge to light (on fire) and you drove them away,” he said. “Leaving aside the potential harm to people and life involved, the fire completely destroyed property of the City of Busselton and caused $3m worth of destruction. “Because of your promised future co-operation, I’ve come to the conclusion in the circumstances of this case you should be afforded the opportunity to serve your sentence in the community.” Butters must not reoffend for 12 months and must testify against her co-accused or face an increased 12 month prison sentence.