Woman threatened to kill dog after demanding drugs

Laine Clark | April 21, 2023

After demanding drugs, Tamika Majenta Healey grabbed a dog and threatened to kill the household pet.

Then co-offender Jakeb Paul Mortimer produced a handgun.

In the exchange of gunfire that followed, Mortimer was shot in the stomach before Healey drove away with the stolen canine.

A handcuffed Mortimer, 33, still had the bullet in his bowel when he was sentenced in Brisbane District Court on Friday before Healey walked free.

In June 2021, Healey and Mortimer were using drugs and tried to get more when they arrived at a Queensland house.

Standing on the front porch, the pair demanded drugs before Healey, 32, grabbed the dog when an argument erupted.

She threatened to kill the pet before Mortimer produced a handgun and fired twice into the residence.

Mortimer was shot by someone inside the house with a rifle but was still able to fire his gun into the residence a few more times as he ran away.

Healey stole the dog – which was later recovered unharmed – and drove away.

Mortimer required surgery, having a part of his bowel removed.

“The bullet is still in his bowel. He still has ongoing problems,” his defence barrister Christopher Wilson said.

Judge Vicki Loury said his injury would serve as a reminder of his offending and warranted some mitigation of his sentence.

The court heard Mortimer had an extensive criminal history of drug offending and was on parole at the time of the shooting.

Mortimer pleaded guilty to two counts of threatening violence in the night and was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison.

He is eligible for parole in August.

The court heard Healey had a disadvantaged childhood and been exposed to significant trauma.

She was still able to complete high school and achieved an excellent work history.

However, after a personal tragedy she began a relationship with a man who was a drug dealer, but she did not know at the time.

He introduced her to methamphetamine and she became addicted at 26.

“Frankly your life spiralled out of control after that,” Judge Loury said.

Healey on Friday pleaded guilty to a number of offences including dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

In July 2021 Healey accelerated away from police when they attempted to intercept her, driving through red lights, tyre deflation devices and on the wrong side of the road.

She had also breached bail conditions.

The court heard Healey had reconnected with family and completed numerous programs while in custody.

Judge Loury said Healey would be sentenced to time already served and released without any further orders after she had sought out support and planned for her release from custody.

“I think that you are well placed to be able to return to a law abiding life,” she said.

Healey was sentenced to 639 days in jail, with the same period declared as time served.

She was also disqualified from driving for two years.