Oz Muslim woman sentenced to six months’ jail for false hijab complaint

SYDNEY - An Australian Muslim woman has been sentenced to six months’ jail for falsely accusing a police officer of forcibly removing her hijab, face veil, in Sydney.

Carnita Matthews had in August pleaded not guilty to one charge of knowingly making a false complaint relating to events in June.

However, a Campbelltown Local Court on Friday ruled that the “evidence was overwhelming” that Matthews had submitted a false declaration to police.

“There is not a shadow of doubt in my mind beyond a reasonable doubt that she knew that the complaint she was making was false,” News.com.au quoted Magistrate Robert Rabbidge, as saying while sentencing Matthews.

The 46-year-old was stopped in June by a New South Wales police officer at Woodbine, a suburb of Sydney, for a random breath test.

She later filed a police complaint alleging that the officer had tried to pull off her hijab.

Meanwhile, Matthews’ lawyers have lodged an appeal to the District Court against the conviction and sentence.

The mother of seven was released on bail pending the appeal hearing. (ANI)