Dishonest Gateshead Woman Convicted of Perjury

A dishonest Gateshead woman has been convicted of perjury after lying to Magistrates when making a Statutory Declaration.

Jamie McPherson, formerly of Stuart Terrace in Felling, was handed a Community Protection Notice by Gateshead Council following a series of complaints by her neighbours in early 2019.

The Council received reports that McPherson and visitors to her terraced home would regularly play loud music into the early hours of the morning. They would also threaten anyone who dared to challenge them on the issue.

In March 2019, having received further complaints of McPherson's anti-social behaviour, the Council decided to prosecute her for breaching the Community Protection Notice. This is an offence under section 48(1) of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

McPherson was summoned to appear at Gateshead Magistrates' Court, but failed to do so. She was convicted in her absence, fined £660, ordered to pay £300 towards prosecution costs and £60 victim surcharge.

In July 2019 McPherson attended Gateshead Magistrates' Court to make a Statutory Declaration, on oath, to the effect that she was unaware of the earlier proceedings. Magistrates accepted her account that she had never received the summons and her conviction (and associated financial penalty) was set aside.

Gateshead Council, however, were able to show that McPherson acknowledged receipt of the summons by contacting a council officer within the private sector housing team. The Council were also able to show that McPherson had provided a false address to the court whilst making the Statutory Declaration.

The Council commenced further proceedings against McPherson for a further breach of the Community Protection Notice and perjury in relation to the Statutory Declaration.

McPherson appeared before Newcastle Crown Court in July 2020 where she admitted both offences.

She was sentenced at the end of the December to 8 months' custody suspended for 18 months for perjury and fined £200 for breaching the Community Protection Notice. She was also ordered to pay £300 towards prosecution costs.

I dare say McPherson thought playing her music and abusing her neighbours was a fairly trivial matter, but she has ended up within a whisker of going to prison - and still might if she reoffends anytime soon.

This case serves as a further reminder that it is bad idea to peddle lies to the court when under oath. There is nearly always someone around who is smart enough to spot what is happening.