WARNING: Disturbing Horrific details of how a woman died from a lack of care in her squalid home, covered in faeces and ulcers and using her couch as a toilet, have been detailed in court. Julie Lynette Delaney shakily told the court she was sorry for her actions after her mother, Noelene Delaney, was found dead in her filthy Pimpama home on the Gold Coast in September 2020. “I’m so remorseful for what I’ve done,” she told Brisbane Supreme Court moments after pleading guilty to manslaughter.
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion. But even with the plea, Delaney won’t spend any further time in custody. Instead, she walked free with a five-year suspended sentence hanging over her head after a judge found it would be detrimental to her recovery to send her back into custody.
Delaney, 61, was the primary carer of her 82-year-old mother at the time of her death. Her son, who wasn’t accused of any wrongdoing, assisted in Noelene’s care by paying bills, taking her and Delaney to and from appointments and delivering groceries. Noelene required 24-hour supervision and care and regular medical appointments, including occupational and physical therapy.
The court was told Delaney missed from aged care support group BlueCare and Gold Coast University Hospital regarding physical therapy appointments for her mother. On September 18, 2020, Delaney and her son exchanged messages regarding Noelene’s condition. They included Delaney.