Bunbury Woman Found Not Guilty in Condom Tampering Trial

A Bunbury woman, Skye Palazzese Edwards, 24, was found not guilty of acting with intent to cause harm after facing trial for allegedly tampering with her housemate's condoms.

Police Interview and Admission

During a recorded police interview from 2024, Ms. Edwards admitted to pricking condoms with a sewing needle in July 2022. She stated she was experiencing jealousy regarding her friend's relationship and felt the new partner was affecting their friendship.

Ms. Edwards told police she acted in a "fit of rage" but claimed she subsequently threw out the tampered condoms, asserting they were never used.

Conflicting Evidence

A text message exchange from Ms. Edwards to a former partner stated, "I poked holes in half their condoms" and "Gotta put those pregnancy tests to use somehow."

Her housemate later reported falling pregnant and subsequently having a miscarriage. The housemate discovered at least one condom with a hole in its packaging after seeing Ms. Edwards's text exchange.

Defence's Argument and Verdict

The defence argued that Ms. Edwards admitted to tampering with condoms from a bathroom cabinet but not from the housemate's bedroom stash, where the damaged condom presented to police was found. The defence suggested the hole in the condom could have resulted from another cause, such as a cat's claw.

The court heard the targeted couple used condoms in conjunction with other contraception methods.

Prosecutors were unable to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Ms. Edwards's actions directly resulted in harm to her friend.