December 9, 2024
A former Tingoora resident will serve at least seven months in jail after being found guilty of stalking former South Burnett councillor Scott Henschen.
Judith Ann Schulz was sentenced by Justice Loury KC in the Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday after a three-week trial.
A jury found her guilty on two counts of unlawful stalking – relating to incidents in 2020 and 2021 – but found her not guilty of attempted extortion.
The Crown alleged Schulz had engaged in persistent targeted abuse, harassment, and intimidation of then-Councillor Henschen for an extended period between March 2020 and May 2021.
Justice Loury sentenced Schulz to 18 months’ jail on the first count of stalking and nine months on the second, to be served concurrently, with a seven-month non-parole period.
Schulz, a web designer, was Mr Henschen’s campaign manager at the 2020 Council election but afterwards had a very public falling out.
In June that year, she lodged a complaint with the Office of the Independent Assessor alleging inappropriate councillor conduct which was referred back to Council for determination and ultimately dismissed.
In March 2021, Schulz lodged applications for peace and good behaviour orders against Cr Henschen and two Kingaroy businesspeople in Kingaroy Magistrates Court which were also ultimately dismissed, with costs ordered against her.
Schulz was arrested and charged by detectives from Murgon CIB in May 2021.
Mr Henschen recontested the Division 6 council seat at the 2024 election but was defeated.
[UPDATED with correction]
