Kristina Keneally’s cop son Daniel, 35, sobs and heaves as he learns his fate for fabricating a statement that landed a man in jail
The police officer, son of ex-NSW Premier Kristina Keneally, is devastated after he was spared jail over a false statement that led to the wrongful imprisonment of an activist.
Daniel Keneally, 35, was sentenced to a 15-month intensive corrections order in Sydney’s Downing Center Local Court on Thursday after previously being convicted of fabricating evidence.
The intensive corrections order was imposed despite prosecutors urging Magistrate Rodney Brender to order a full prison sentence instead.
Keneally was also ordered to complete 200 hours of community service and pay a $2,000 fine.
The police officer slumped over in relief at the verdict and then cried, breathing heavily, into his hands as the court adjourned.
Daniel Keneally, the son of former NSW Premier Kristina Keneally, avoided jail on Thursday – prompting him to fall over and sob into his hands
He was sentenced to pay a $2,000 fine and perform 200 hours of community service. Keneally is pictured with mother Kristina (centre left) and former Prime Minister Gladys Berejiklian (right)
He wrote a statement containing numerous untruths regarding a call made by Luke Brett Moore to Newtown Police Station in February 2021.
The statement, including claims that Moore wanted to kill a police officer, resulted in the activist being arrested and held in custody for three weeks.
The ISuepolice founder was later released on bail and charges were dropped due to a recording of the conversation on his phone.
The recording, made without Keneally’s knowledge, showed significant discrepancies from the officer’s statement.
Keneally (pictured on Thursday) was found guilty of falsifying a police report in 2021
Kristina Keneally was the first female Premier of NSW, serving from 2009 to 2011
At a sentencing hearing in December, Keneally’s lawyer Paul McGirr asked for a tough sentencing order to be imposed, allowing his client to stay out of jail.
Prosecutors said Keneally should be sent to prison to reflect the serious nature of the crime.
An investigation by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission led to Keneally’s indictment in October 2022.
The investigation was first revealed by Daily Mail Australia.
The police watchdog said it would provide a report to NSW Parliament when criminal proceedings concluded.
READ MORE: Ex-Prime Minister Kristina Keneally debuts shocking new look at prestigious annual Gold Dinner 2023 after announcing career move
