False statements put mother back in custody
Posted
Police say Tessa Woodcock provided false statements to the court. (ABC Graphics)
A Canberra mother accused of neglecting her four children is back in custody after it was revealed a woman at her bail hearing had made false statements to the court.
The 35-year-old woman was charged with neglect in June after police found her children living alone in filthy conditions in their north Canberra home.
Last week the accused was granted bail after Tessa Woodcock provided surety for her.
Ms Woodcock offered the mother house cleaning work and also provided details of her previous living arrangements and criminal history.
But today the ACT Supreme Court was told Ms Woodcock has been charged with perjury after police discovered she had convictions for receiving stolen goods in 2006 and provided incorrect addresses on the bail sheet.
The matter has been adjourned.
