Justine Welles.
Justine Welles was a main character from June 1997 (Episode 2169) to April 2000 (Episode 2805). She was the half sister of Aaron Welles. Justine was played by Bree Desborough (now known as Bree Bain)
Backstory[]
Justine and her brother Aaron were the children of heroin addicts. Life at home was hell so they moved out and existed on the street. While homeless, Justine developed a heroin habit of her own. Aaron decided to move on when realised he couldn't help her with her drugs habit. He ended up in Summer Bay, where he was taken in by Alf and Ailsa Stewart.
1997-2000[]
In 1997 Justine came to Summer Bay to visit Aaron and told him she was now drugs free. That was a lie and she began to steal from Aaron's guardians Alf and Ailsa Stewart. She tried to show everybody that she was a reformed character by organising a charity event at the Surf Club with boxer Kostya Tszyu as a guest. She was so reformed, she bought drugs from a dealer after the event. She was caught out when Duncan Stewart found syringes under her bed. A furious Alf threw her out and she left.
Justine returned some weeks later and was fostered by Pippa Ross. By now she had a new boyfriend called Danny Mackson who just happened to be a drug dealer. Everyone told her he was bad news but she refused to listen until Danny attacked Sam Marshall. Justine then encouraged her foster sister Tiegan Brook to shoplift, which got her into trouble. Later, Alf caught Justine stealing from his bait shop and wasn't slow to let everyone know about it. Justine stole a rowing boat and decided to run away on that, just as Cyclone Raymond began to close in on Summer Bay. Justine was saved by Ian Routledge, Pippa's new love interest. At this point she began to see that there were people who cared about her.
In 1998 Pippa decided to go travelling with Ian. Travis and Rebecca Nash moved into into Summer Bay House and assumed responsibility for Pippa's foster kids Justine, Tiegan and Sam. By now Justine was seeing Vinnie Patterson. When she asked Rebecca if Vinnie could stay over, she agreed. When the time came, Vinnie declined and admitted to Justine he was still a virgin. Vinnie later broke up with Justine so he could get with Sally. Justine fell for Tom Nash during rehearsals for a Year 11 production of Romeo and Juliet. (1990 just called - it wants its R&J storyline back). Justine obviously had a flair for performing. She performed in the groups Broken Dolls and then Frenzy.
In 1999 Justine took a job babysitting for Steve and Wendy Collins, looking after their baby daughter, Ruby. Ruby suffered a tumble from a sofa and was found to be badly bruised. She later died from her injuries. Justine was arrested and charged with manslaughter. Justine's mother Sharon came back into her life pretending to support her. What Justine didn't know was that Sharon had struck a deal with a journalist and would get paid if she could record Justine on tape confessing to the killing. When Justine repeated what she'd say to her schoolmates "Yeah I did it" (in a sarcastic way) she got what she needed. When the trial came around Sharon testified against Justine. Then she admitted the ruse on the stand but it was too late. Justine was found guilty of manslaughter and jailed. She was surprisingly released a week later when Steve Collins came forward and admitted that he had caused Ruby's injuries. Sharon begged for Justine's forgiveness but it was too late. Justine was having none of it and disowned her.
After completing her HSC, Justine landed a role in a play. The director Curt Bacon spent a lot of time rehearsing with her but turned out to be a sleazebag. How could he be anything other than this with a name like that? Justine brought his sleazebag behaviour out into the open when she improvised a scene during the play, in front of an audience. Shortly after this she was offered an acting job and she left town, leaving Tom behind.
Memorable info[]
First Line: "Excuse me, can you help me please? My baby, I've got to get her to the hospital." (to Marilyn)
Family[]
Mother Sharon Welles
Siblings Aaron Welles (half, same mother)