Mother who faked violent, racist threats spared jail to care for kids
A mother-of-three who faked violent and racist threats against her children has been spared jail time so she can look after them.
Tabitha Lean was released on home detention, while her husband Simon Peisley will spend the next three years in Yatala.
The mother walked from court stony faced while those she hurt shook uncontrollably.
"Absolutely awful," victim and former colleague Chelsea Potter said. "She doesn't deserve to go home to her children."
The court heard SA Health colleagues like Ms Potter became unwitting suspects in the hoax.
"I got investigated and all that stuff, but they said I hadn't done anything wrong, obviously," Ms Potter said.
Over two years, Lean and Priesely, both employees of aboriginal health claimed they were sent 80 violent, racist letters and packages, including children's clothing soaked in blood.
One of the forged letters said: "you fat f**king coconuts showing your ugly faces in our community".
But their elaborate scheme came undone when officers linked them to the threats using paper and envelopes marked with invisible ink.
The deception cost taxpayers over a million dollars in compensation and protection.
The couple received the same six-year sentence, with three years non-parole.
Peisley was jailed but Lean was granted home detention meaning she can work and study.
The judge said Lean was the epicentre of her children's emotional universe and it was in their best interests that she serve her sentence at home.
The Director of Public Prosecutions said it would review Lean's sentence.
