Bunbury woman who left threatening voicemails on niece’s phone given good behaviour bond

A Bunbury woman who left threatening voicemails, including telling her niece her head would be “booted in”, has been warned about such actions in the future. Leannda Noeleen Riley, 46, appeared in Bunbury Magistrates Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to two counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass and offend the receiver during a family feud. Prosecutor Sgt Jane Gillham said that during an escalated disagreement with her cousin and aunty on April 2, Riley left two angry voicemails on her niece’s phone which included threats and verbal abuse. One of the messages to Riley’s niece was: “You’re getting your head booted in”. Riley’s lawyer Ella Eberhardt told the court Riley was grieving after the loss of her relative and had been provoked by the disagreement. That disagreement came about because of the alleged behaviour of her niece, and the court was told she was also struggling to find accommodation. Ms Eberhardt said Riley had a “momentary, but serious lapse in judgment”. She told the court she had no significant criminal record, and said the victims were not at-risk. Magistrate Joanne Andretich said the incidents had come about during a “perfect storm” which would pass, and said Riley should be more “mindful” of responding to others and their behaviour in future. Ms Andretich accepted Riley’s explanation and placed her on a good behaviour bond without a conviction, and warned not to reoffend.