Tiahleigh Palmer: Foster mother and brother set for sentencing
The foster mother of slain Logan schoolgirl Tiahleigh Palmer will face a sentencing hearing next year alongside her son.
Julene Thorburn, 54, and son Josh, 20, will face Beenleigh District Court at a date to be set after pleading guilty to one count each of perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice last week.
The pair's lawyer Jason Jacobson confirmed to AAP on Monday both will be sentenced at some point in 2017.
Julene Thorburn is escorted by police for questioning in relation to the death of Tiahleigh Palmer. Photo: AAP
Josh Thorburn also pleaded guilty to one count of perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice last week. Photo: AAP/Dave Hunt
Tiahleigh Palmer's decomposed body was found on the banks of the Pimpama River in the northern Gold Coast.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has six months to proceed with the indictment, meaning it could be May before the hearing is held.
Julene Thorburn's husband Rick Thorburn has been charged with 12-year-old Tia's murder.
Rick Thorburn was arrested and charged in September, just under a year after Tia's decomposed body was found on the banks of the Pimpama River in the northern Gold Coast.
The Thorburn family from Queensland (left to right) Rick, Josh, Julene and Trent. Photo: AAP
He claimed he dropped Tiahleigh off at Marsden State High School on the morning of October 30, 2015 - six days before her body was found.
Another son of the Thorburns, Trent, is facing charges of incest and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Trent is due to face Beenleigh Magistrates Court on December 21.
Julene Thorburn, the foster mother of Tiahleigh, rolls old tyres used for horse feeding on their property at Chambers Flat. Photo: AAP
Julene Thorburn pets one of her horses on their property located south of Brisbane. Photo: AAP
At a mention for Julene Thorburn and Josh Thorburn in October, Mr Jacobson indicated the pair would be pleading guilty and giving evidence against the other members of their family.
"They now have taken the step of agreeing to be prosecution witnesses and will give evidence about everything they know," he said outside court on October 10.
"You can take it from that their's is very much a family divided."
News break – November 21
