| Justine Welles | |||||||
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| Home and Away character | |||||||
| Portrayed by | Bree Desborough | ||||||
| Introduced by | John Holmes | ||||||
| Duration | 1997–2000 | ||||||
| First appearance | 5 June 1997 | ||||||
| Last appearance | 7 April 2000 | ||||||
| Classification | Former, regular | ||||||
| Profile | |||||||
| Home | Sydney | ||||||
| Occupation | Student Actress |
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Justine Welles is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by Bree Desborough. She made her first on screen appearance on 5 June 1997.
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The character of Justine was Desborough's first on-going television role.[1] Justine was initially a guest character and Desborough began filming her first scenes in March 1997. She returned as a permanent cast member the following month.[1] In January 2000, it was announced Desborough had decided to leave Home and Away.[2]
Justine and her brother Aaron (Richie Gudgeon) spent time on the city streets and Justine developed an addiction to drugs.[1] Aaron felt he could not help Justine with her drug habit and ran away to Summer Bay. In 1997, Justine arrives in the Bay to visit Aaron and she tells him she is drug free and wants to make a fresh start.[1] It soon becomes obvious the story is not true and as Aaron tries to help his sister, she runs away.[1] Justine later returns and is placed in foster care with Pippa Ross (Debra Lawrance). The official Home and Away website said "This time Justine really is off drugs but she is still angry with Aaron — and the world in general. Despite her angry facade, this year Justine will show her more vulnerable side."[1]
In 1999, Justine is accused of murdering baby, Ruby Collins. The Home and Away writers scripted the storyline after being inspired by the real trials of Louise Woodward and Louise Sullivan.[3] Desborough told Jason Herbision of Inside Soap that she was really excited to read the script and said it was a strong storyline to be working on.[3] Justine babysits Ruby and is later changed with inflicting injuries on her when she goes into a coma as the result of being shaken.[3] Despite all the gossip going around Summer Bay, Justine tries to hold her head up and decides to go to Ruby's funeral.[4] Desborough said Justine was set to run away, but Rebecca's (Belinda Emmett) attitude changes her plans.[4] The actress said "Rebecca's beginning to think that Justine could be guilty, and Justine reckons the only way to prove her wrong is to stand up and face the music."[4] Justine stands trial for Ruby's murder and the prosecution focuses on her failure to report the bruising she found on the baby. The jury find Justine guilty of manslaughter and she is sent to prison.[5]
Ruby's mother eventually comes forward and reveals her husband was actually responsible for their daughter's death.[6] Justine is released and Desborough said she is too exhausted to feel relieved when she gets out and she is not in a party mood.[6] A writer for Inside Soap said it becomes apparent Justine's nightmare is far from over. A reporter turns up looking for her side of the story and her mother, Sharon (Shayne Francis), who tried to sell her story, also arrives.[6] Desborough told the magazine, "Justine never wants to speak to her mother again, but she's not really sure how she feels about the newspaper offer."[6] The actress said Justine wants to get her point of view across, but after what happened with her mother, she does not trust the press.[6] Desborough revealed she had enjoyed filming the scenes, but was looking forward to a less traumatic storyline in the future.[6] She explained "It was great working on the storyline, because I got to do so many things which challenged my acting abilities. But I think I've had more than my fair share of drama for a while."[6]
For her portrayal of Justine, Desborough was nominated for "Most Popular New Talent" at the 1998 Logie Awards.[7]
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