Southern Cross University law lecturer jailed
The Australian wrote:
A JAPANESE law lecturer who bared her bottom to a judge will apply for bail pending an appeal against her recent convictions for threatening to kill court officials.
Megumi Ogawa, 41, was sentenced in March to six months' jail after a Brisbane District Court jury found her guilty of two counts each of using a carriage service to harass and using a carriage service to threaten to kill Australian Federal Court officials in 2006.
During the trial, the court was told Ogawa, who is a lecturer at Lismore's Southern Cross University, sent 83 emails and made 176 phone calls to Federal Court staff.
During some of those contacts, she made threats to kill registry staff.
Ogawa regularly had to be removed from the trial for incessant screaming, making disparaging comments about the justice system and wrestling with corrective services officers.
She also flashed her bottom on one occasion when being dragged into court.
At the conclusion of the trial, Judge Stuart Durward charged Ogawa with contempt for her "disgusting behaviour" during the proceedings and sentenced her to four months' jail for that offence.
In April, Ogawa indicated she would appeal against her convictions and sentences for the four Commonwealth offences and the charge of contempt.
On Tuesday, she filed an application in the Brisbane Supreme Court registry indicating she would be seeking bail pending this appeal.
The bail application will be heard later this month.
Tickets to see her next appearance go on sale Monday.
Parental guidance recommended.
