“Frightened" mother fined £1,000

Friday 16 February 2018

A mother of a newborn baby says she withheld information from the police as she was “frightened of the consequences.”

Sophie Amber Lusk (22), pleaded guilty to failing in her ‘duty to provide information,’ in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Ms Lusk wouldn’t tell the police the name of the driver of a stolen black Lexus, after he did a runner and left her sitting in the front passenger seat when the car was stopped by honorary police during a routine road check in St. Mary on 7 July 2017.

Defence Advocate Estelle Burns told the court Ms Lusk had said she “didn’t want to grass anyone up” as she was “frightened of the consequences.”

Advocate Burns explained that Ms. Lusk was particularly worried as she had a seven-week old baby and thought she may “receive threats from the person” if she identified the driver.

Magistrate Bridget Shaw told Ms Lusk her action “undermines justice” and fined the mum, who’s currently receiving maternity allowance, £1,000.

She said it is a “significant punishment for obstructing investigations” but said the payments will be reviewed after one month.