Tisharn Michell George sentenced in Townsville Magistrates Court after driving stolen vehicle and assaulting police officer

A Townsville woman injured a police officer in a dramatic arrest after the young mother took a stolen car for a joy ride. Here’s what happened in court.

A young mother clawed a police officer during a dramatic arrest after driving a stolen vehicle, leading to her court appearance and 18 months probation.

A young mother has fronted court after she told an officer not to ‘manhandle’ her moments before she clawed a policeman in a dramatic arrest.

Tisharn Michell George appeared in Townsville Magistrates Court on Tuesday after driving a stolen vehicle while on her learner’s licence and assaulting a police officer in separate offending.

Police Prosecutor Joseph Kurtin said that during the night of May 27 and May 28 this year, a group of offenders, of which George was not alleged to be a part of, stole a red Toyota Camry.

Despite the 19-year-old not playing a role in the car theft, the court was told in the early hours of May 28, George was captured on CCTV footage in the same stolen vehicle at a Vincent service station.

“The vehicle approached pump five and pumped 35.75 litres of unleaded fuel into the stolen vehicle, totalling $67.54. The defendant entered the driver’s seat and drove off without having paid,” Mr Kurtin said.

After a forensic investigation of the vehicle and the use of the CCTV footage, Mr Kurtin said police were able to identify George.

The prosecution said that less than two months later Police attempted to arrest the mother of two but she pulled away from them screaming ‘don’t man handle me’ and ‘f — off’.

After police attempted to handcuff the young woman, she dug her nails into a constable’s hand, causing marks and stabbing pain, the court was told.

Defence Lawyer Margaret Crowther said that she knows the Townsville community is fed up with this type of offending, but George’s young age means that there is a large opportunity for rehabilitation.

During her sentencing, George stood before Magistrate Ken Taylor with her arms crossed.

“Unfold your arms while we go through this, please,” Magistrate Taylor said.

“You said you’re anxious to get back to look after your children, however I note the time of the offences of the unlawful use at 2:40am in the morning and query why you were not home trying to care for them at that time.”

George pleaded guilty to assault of a police officer, stealing, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and driving a vehicle on a learner’s licence without supervision or L plates displayed.

Magistrate Taylor took into account her 23 days served of pre-sentence custody and sentenced her to 18 months probation.

She was convicted and not further punished for the two traffic offences.

No conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Tisharn Michell George sentenced in Townsville Magistrates Court after driving stolen vehicle and assaulting police officer