Judge slams cancer con-woman Belle Gibson yet again

It has been reported that the judge on the trial of disgraced wellness blogger Belle Gibson is finding it difficult to come up with a suitable penalty as Gibson once again fails to show up in court. 

Gibson has not even been represented by a lawyer in court, and Justice Debbie Mortimer said that she was not aware of a case where this level of noninvolvement has occurred. 

Read more: Judge delivers unexpected verdict on cancer faker Belle Gibson

Mortimer said that Gibson has shown “no positive indication of contrition or remorse” throughout the duration of the case, as shown by her failure to attend hearings. 

Read more: Belle Gibson handed first punishment for fake cancer claims

Mortimer speculated on the reasons behind her non-attendance. 

“One of those is she’s simply so embarrassed to show her face”, she said. 

“The other is she is thumbing her nose at the courts.”

However, the representative from the consumer watchdog, Catherine Button, said, “If there is an innocent explanation to be given, Ms Gibson would have come along and given it.”

Gibson amassed a huge social media following with her claims that she was diagnosed with brain cancer and given just months to live, but caused her cancer to miraculously disappear after taking up a healthy diet and alternative therapies. Her fame won her a book contract with Penguin, but the book The Whole Pantry was pulped and an accompanying app scrapped after it emerged that her claims were false. 

While Button recommended the judge impose a sentence that will send a strong message to the community, but Mortimer was concerned about Gibson’s ability to pay. 

“I don’t know whether she’s employed, I don’t know if she’s independently wealthy, or if she’s got generous friends — I don’t know any of that,” she said.

“If the penalties are not paid and those in the general community look at that, then I’m not sure if there is general deterrence.”

Do you think Belle Gibson should be heavily fined?