On September 1 last year, Slade and her under-aged accomplice, who cannot be named, used Slade’s mobile phone to falsely inform a number of families their son or daughter had been involved in a serious car accident, had attempted suicide or had overdosed on drugs.

In handing down the sentence in the Griffith District Court, Magistrate Jeff Hogg acknowledged Slade was remorseful for her actions but stressed the seriousness of the offences. “You’re not going to prison today,” he told Slade. “But the view that I take is that given you are an adult … I think a term of community service is warranted.”

One of the victims, Monica St Baker, said she was disappointed at the leniency of the sentence.

“Is that all?” Mrs St Baker said. “I don’t think that’s right considering what she put all those families through.”

Mrs St Baker, who received a call on September 1 from Slade and her accomplice saying her daughter had been in a serious car accident, said she had hoped to meet with Slade and tell her of the anguish the hoax calls put her family through.

“I’m not out for blood, that’s not me. But I think it would be more appropriate if she sat down face-to-face with the victims so she could see the trauma she put us through.”

During the hearing, Slade’s solicitor, Vicki Wade, revealed to the court her client had written to the victims expressing remorse.

“I should have been adult enough to put a stop to the calls,” Slade wrote in the letter.

“It was totally out of character to me. I am really sorry and regret my actions.”

Ms Wade told the court Slade’s accomplice was the instigator of the prank and said her client, who was intoxicated at the time of the calls, did not actually make any of the phone calls.

Ms Wade said her client would consider appealing against the sentence.