Brooke Lee Modelling owner Brooke Lee Hargrave sentenced for assault, husband Beau Antoni Hargrave pleads not guilty

A glamorous young Queensland mum who runs a modelling and etiquette school forgot her own manners when she and her husband ended up handcuffed at a nightclub.

A young mum who runs a modelling and etiquette school seemed to forget her manners when a friend’s hens night went off the rails, with both her and her husband ending up handcuffed.

A modelling and deportment school coach who hit a police officer with a handbag during drunken hen’s party celebrations has been sentenced while her husband has pleaded not guilty to his alleged nightclub antics.

Brooke Lee Hargrave nee Thompson has run Brooke Lee Modelling and Deportment School in Slade Point, Mackay, since 2011, but her lawyer described her as a “drunken pest” when she tried to get in between cops and her husband Beau Antoni Hargrave.

Salt Legal director Darren Robinson said Ms Hargrave had a “combative exchange” with police outside Confessions Nightclub on Victoria Street at 2.43am, asking why they were arresting Mr Hargrave: “What’s he done wrong?”

“She had been drinking throughout the day (as) part of a bridal party for her best friend at Ocean International,” Mr Robinson said.

Brook Lee Modelling and Deportment School owner Brooke Lee Hargrave on July 21, 2024. Picture: Contributed

“Not her character to be consuming alcohol all day (and had) mixed her drinks wine and vodka.

“She was with her husband and they left the nightclub together.

“(She is) grabbing at Constable Watkins’ arm with her right hand, and then she steps in front of the police officer to block his immediate access to her husband.

“Second assault that follows, where she throws her bag back in frustration and it hits the police officer.

“It’s a small white handbag, she throws it to the ground, and it hits the police officer.

“Two assaults separated by only seconds ... at no time is the police officer hurt or thrown off balance.”

Mackay Magistrates Court heard the couple was handcuffed by police and sat down but were eventually released and not brought to the watchhouse.

Beau Antoni Hargrave pleaded not guilty in Mackay Magistrates Court on Wednesday, August 21 2024, to obstruct police and drunk and disorderly conduct in a licenced premises at Confessions nightclub. Picture: Contributed

Police prosecutor Ruth Whisker said police had attended the nightclub because they had been alerted of some kind of disturbance by Confessions security.

The court heard her plead guilty to obstruct police and assault police on July 21, 2024.

Mr Robinson said Ms Hargrave had two character references expressing shock at the charge and attesting to both her years of work at her modelling school as well as a personal assistant at Ergon Energy.

Her many charitable endeavours include fundraising for CQ Rescue and the Mackay Hospital Foundation, the court heard.

The Brooke Lee Modelling website boasts “a wide range of topics including Catwalk Training, Building Self Confidence, Posture & Deportment, Skincare & Makeup, Hair Care & Styling, Etiquette, Resumes, TV Commercials, Nutrition & Exercise, Photography & Posing, how to dress to your shape and a lot more.”

Mr Robinson said that as the owner of a small business catering to young people she had needed a Blue Card for 13 years, and requested she not be convicted so as to preserve it.

Brook Lee Modelling and Deportment School owner Brooke Lee Hargrave nee Thompson pleaded guilty on Wednesday, August 21 2024, to obstruct police and assault police outside Confessions nightclub in Mackay Magistrates Court. Picture: Contributed

As a person of good character with no criminal history, Mr Robinson said, she was “very embarrassed” by the charges, which arrived about a week after the incident.

Magistrate Bronwyn Hartigan said due to Ms Hargrave’s clean record, “nominal or no punishment is within range”.

“I’m satisfied that you are truly remorseful (and that it is) extremely unlikely this will be repeated.”

Ms Hargrave was given a good behaviour bond and no convictions were recorded.

Meanwhile, Mr Hargrave, represented by McKays Solicitors Marcus Hahn, also faced court and pleaded not guilty to charges of obstruct police and being drunk and disorderly in a licenced premises.

A trial date was set to run from November 20.

Originally published as Brooke Lee Modelling owner Brooke Lee Hargrave sentenced for assault, husband Beau Antoni Hargrave pleads not guilty