Body-in-barrel witness jailed despite ‘trauma’ appeal

ERIN PEARSON
A STAR witness in Geelong’s body-in-a-barrel case has been jailed following a spate of thefts and breach of her suspended sentence for similar crimes.
Portarlington’s Jodi Toulmin, 32, appeared relaxed in court on Monday while answering theft and driving charges.
The charges related to a spate of alleged offences in Apollo Bay between December 27 and 30.
Geelong Magistrates’ Court heard Toulmin was “no stranger” to the legal system due to a long history of drug-induced criminal behavior.
Her barrister, Caetlyn Wells-Simon, told the court the often-homeless Toulmin was working though a drug rehabilitation program.
Ms Wells-Simon recommended a community corrections order.
She said Toulmin also suffered post-traumatic stress disorder after giving evidence in a trial of former boyfriend Lawrence Butler, 47, for the 2009 murder of Whittington’s Trevor Tascas.
Magistrate Michael Coghlan argued against a community corrections order, fearing Toulmin would simply “find herself back in court”.
Mr Coghlan said her shoplifting was “professional”.
Mr Coghlan referred to the charges for two petrol drive-offs as “an absolute nuisance”.
Toulmin also faced charges for driving and theft offences.
She was convicted and sentenced to 114 days jail, 46 already had been served in custody.