A MELBOURNE sex worker allegedly involved in a six-year campaign of harassment, intimidation, stalking and blackmail against a Border doctor did not attend court in Albury yesterday with a medical certificate tendered on her behalf.
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Solicitor Tim Hemsley said the certificate indicated the woman, 31, was unable to be present.
But magistrate Tony Murray said on three or four occasions certificates tendered on the woman’s behalf have been “woefully inadequate”.
She has been charged with using a carriage service to menace, demanding with menaces intending to gain an advantage and intimidation.
Mr Murray said the charges would be adjourned until next week for a certificate to be provided in the proper form.
He suggested that the woman may have the charges dealt with in her absence if the certificate is deficient.
The case was first mentioned in Albury Local Court last May.
It was alleged the woman demanded sums varying from $150,000 to $350,000 in messages sent by text to the doctor and threatened to kill him.
The woman, who has a suppression order on her name, allegedly sent 2506 text messages, 74 voice recordings and 222 video files with demands for money between January 17 and February 28 last year.
Some text messages included video of herself performing various sex acts and abusing the doctor.
In one message, the woman said she should have asked for $800,000, $350,000 was a small price to pay and the doctor could “kiss your life goodbye” if the money was not forwarded to her account.
The case was mentioned before magistrate Megan Greenwood last November when reports from a psychologist and surgeon advised the woman was unable to travel for long periods.
Solicitor Andrea MacDonald said the woman was suffering from mental and physical difficulties.
Police prosecutor Sgt Tanya Eade made an application for a warrant to get the woman to court.
But Ms Greenwood adjourned the matter to March and said a warrant would be issued if a medical certificate was not produced in the correct form.