Grandma is held in custody because of an unpaid fine 22 years ago

The Manunda grandmother Dorothy Deshong felt “gobsmacked and humiliated” last Monday when, after reporting a break-in,  police arrived to her home to investigate her and finally being arrested because of a parking fine she hadn't paid 22 years ago.

The woman said she was forced to come in to a paddy wagon and be under police custody until the debt was finally paid. The amount of that fine was another important and incredible point of this unbelievable story, just 20$.

The incident occurred after Ms Deshong reported a break in at her home in the early hours of last Friday morning, during which thieves stole her handbag containing valuable items including, among others, her false teeth and a diamond engagement ring.

The 57-year-old said the three police officers that went to her home spent “about 30 seconds” discussing the theft she had suffered just before reporting her overdue fine and resulting in arrest warrant.

“I was absolutely shocked. The ridiculousness of it still floors me. I was reporting a crime, but somehow it was me who was going to be doing time”, lady Deshonga claims. The fine was issued in 1992 in Townsville, where Deshong was studying a psychology degree. Since then, she has been working among “numerous” police officers, in hospitals and in prisons as a clinical counsellor, including a stint with the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Once at Cairns Police Station, she was told she’d be held in custody until either a court appearance the next morning or until the fine, now totalling $131, was paid.

Cairns Crime Prevention Sergeant Cary Coolican said that “At the time this initial fine was issued, unpaid fines were converted into warrants. The officers acted lawfully and actually took steps to reduce any potential discomfort for the woman by bringing her to the main police station rather than the watch-house.”

“I feel like my rights have been violated,” lady Deshong said, and also she reckon that she still hoped the thieves who “started” all this awkward story would return her handbag anonymously into her letterbox.

By Santi Ivar

Sources:

Carinspot.com.au

theaustralia.com.au