Murdered schoolgirl Tiahleigh Palmer’s foster brother jailed for lying to police
THE eldest foster brother of murdered Queensland school girl Tiahleigh Palmer will spend the next three months behind bars after being sentenced for his role in attempting to cover up her death.
Joshua Thorburn, 21, was on Thursday sentenced to a total of 15 months in prison, 12 of which were suspended, after pleading guilty to perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Tiahleigh’s body was found on the banks of the Pimpama River on November 5, 2015 after the 12-year-old disappeared the week before.
She was reported missing by her foster father, Rick Thorburn, who claimed he last saw Tiahleigh when he dropped her at the front gates of Marsden State High School in Logan.
Following a major investigation, Rick was last year charged with her murder and interfering with a corpse.
He is accused of killing Tiahleigh and disposing of her body in the Pimpama River after fearing she had fallen pregnant to his youngest son, Trent with whom she was allegedly having sexual relations.
#new Tiahleigh Palmer’s foster family Julene Thorburn and Josh Thurburn ‘will plead guilty’ https://t.co/9f0FXGa2cw pic.twitter.com/VtzF71Z94z
— modicanews (@modicanews) October 10, 2016
Rick is further accused of forcing his oldest son, Josh, and wife Julene, to lie to police in an effort to cover up the schoolgirl’s death.
Trent, who was 19 at the time, was charged with incest, perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice, while his mother Julene was charged with perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Josh Thorburn arrives at court. He’s charged with perjury and perverting the course of justice. @7NewsBrisbane pic.twitter.com/eyxi1hhsLs
— Mylee Hogan (@MyleeHogan) July 27, 2017
Julene was due to be sentenced alongside Josh in court today but her matter was delayed after switching lawyers at the eleventh hour.
Tiahleigh’s mother Cindy Palmer was in also court and told reporters she was devastated at the outcome.
Tiahleigh Palmer’s mum Cindy devastated by Joshua Thorburn’s three month jail sentence. pic.twitter.com/bAhmkaZHp8
— Kate Kyriacou (@KateKyriacou) July 27, 2017
Rick and Trent Thorburn are yet to be sentenced.
