Woman jailed for reporting 40 minutes late to ACT police
A Canberra woman was jailed Friday night for reporting to ACT Policing 39 minutes later than required under her bail conditions.
The ACT Magistrates Court heard on Saturday Natasha Williams, 31, was imprisoned overnight after reporting late to Woden Police Station.
Magistrate Bernadette Boss told the police prosecutor to remind ACT Policing it had discretionary powers that meant it did not have to jail people.
"They may well find themselves that there's a false imprisonment claim," Dr Boss said.
Ms Williams had been on a bail with her conditions requiring her to report to Woden Police Station by 8pm on Friday.
When Ms William reported 39 minutes late on Friday she was jailed and held in custody until her hearing on Saturday.
The court heard Ms Williams blamed a late taxi for her failure to report on time.
Dr Boss reminded Ms Williams that, despite her frustrations, she was still expected to report to police on time under her conditions.
She was released under the same conditions and is expected in court later this month.