THE face of a serving SA Police officer accused of corruption and linked to a drug syndicate has been temporarily suppressed - but her identity remains public knowledge. Senior Constable Amanda Boughen, 40, of Mawson Lakes, faced the Holden Hill Magistrates Court this morning. The patrol officer based at Holden Hill, who is currently suspended on full pay, has yet to plead to one count of being a public officer who exercised her power or influence to secure a benefit. She is further charged with one count of attempting to obstruct or pervert the course of justice. Court documents allege both offences occurred at Ingle Farm on May 6, 2010. However, the documents contain no further particulars about Boughens alleged offending. Last month, The Advertiser revealed Boughen is the former partner of Storm Alexander Strang - the alleged ringleader in the $40 million cannabis trafficking syndicate. Strang, 41, is among 16 people charged over a drug ring allegedly running between Adelaide, Queensland and WA. At the time of his arrest, police seized $200,000 in cash, 10kg of packaged cannabis, 171 plants, 56g of cocaine and a quantity of steroids. Investigations have revealed Boughens property portfolio includes three Mawson Lakes homes and a city townhouse - until last month, she drove a silver Porsche Cayenne four-wheel drive. They have also revealed Boughen was among a group of police cadets and instructors disciplined in 1998 following a party at a SA Police complex at Echunga. Today Stephen Ey, for Boughen, asked the media be temporarily banned from publishing images of Boughens face or visual appearance. He asked that order be imposed until Monday, at which time he would present a full argument to the court seeking permanent suppression. Ive had discussion with the prosecution, but I dont want to go into the matters this morning, he said. My argument will be based on the proper administration of justice ... the prosecution will be making follow-up inquiries about it. Senior Sergeant Allan McDonald, prosecuting, said he could not argue against a temporary suppression order. There is material thats been provided to me by defence that obviously needs to be checked ... phone calls have been made but Ive had no response, he said. Im not in a position to challenge the points that have been put to me by defence. If whats been presented to me is correct, it might be that an order for suppression is warranted. The Advertiser opposed the temporary order, arguing Boughams defence had not properly outlined its claims and that her image had already been widely published. Magistrate Cathy Deland, however, said state law did not require defence counsel to detail their position to earn temporary suppressions, only permanent ones. She suppressed publication of Boughams face and visual image until Monday, pending further argument, and remanded the suspended officer on bail until then. ###
Posted on: Thu, 07 Nov 2013 18:19:51 +0000
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