Ruth Hutcheson smashes six pack beer in bottle shop, kicks people on tram

A woman who smashed a six pack of VB beer at a Broadbeach bottle shop after she was denied service for appearing intoxicated has been sentenced. Read what happened in court.

Ruth Hutcheson , 49, pleaded guilty at the Southport Magistrates Court to one count of commit public nuisance and one count of wilful damage. Picture: Facebook

A woman who smashed a six pack of VB beer bottles at a Broadbeach bottle shop after being denied service, then later hurled racial slurs to a group of young people, has been sentenced.

Ruth Hutcheson, 49, pleaded guilty at the Southport Magistrates Court on Monday to one count of commit public nuisance and one count of wilful damage.

The court heard Hutcheson attended the Broadbeach Cellarbrations store around 2.30pm on April 30, 2025 but was denied service due to visible signs of intoxication.

Hutcheson became aggressive towards the store’s staff member, snatched the six pack of VB beer she intended to buy, raised it above her head and flung it to the floor, causing all six bottles to smash.

Hutcheson verbally abused the staff member who activated an alarm and locked the doors due to Hutcheson’s behaviour.

The court heard Hutcheson smashed a six pack of VB bottles at the Broadbeach Cellarbrations store. Picture: Google Maps

In a separate incident, police were called by G:link staff about a passenger causing a disturbance and being aggressive towards others around 5.35pm on June 12, 2025.

Police attended the next tram stop and were directed to Hutcheson.

G:link staff told police Hutcheson had been yelling at a group of young people and using racial slurs.

Police were told Hutcheson approached the group and started kicking.

A young person kicked back but appeared to do so out of self-defence.

Police were called by G:Link staff over Hutcheson was causing a disturbance on the tram. Picture Glenn Hampson

Her lawyer Dayne Baskerville-Hodge told the court his client was an alcoholic and has been struggling with accommodation.

He said Hutcheson lost her best friend in May 2024.

Mr Baskerville-Hodge said that while his client’s criminal history is somewhat significant, Hutcheson’s ultimate issue is alcohol.

He asked Hutcheson be placed on a probation order.

When Acting Magistrate Steve Wettenhall suggested a community service order, Mr Baskerville-Hodge said his client had plans to relocate to Sydney.

“Well I’m sure there would be a lot of people on the Gold Coast that would be happy with that,” Mr Wettenhall said.

Mr Wettenhall said Hutcheson had been dealt with very leniently on numerous occasion in the past, noting her significant criminal history and accepted that she is unwell.

“But on the other hand, the point gets reached where the court has got to mark this continually antisocial behaviour with a real penalty,” he said.

He noted the allegation of racial slurs were of particular concern to the court and said they made offending conduct significantly worse.

“That is not acceptable conduct here or anywhere else in the state and it can lead to much much worse consequences,” he said.

Mr Wettenhall told Hutcheson people in the community had the right to enjoy public spaces without being subjected to this type of conduct.

Hutcheson was sentenced to 40 hours community service to be completed within six months.

She was also ordered to pay $21 in restitution to Broadbeach Cellarbrations for the smashed beer bottles.

Originally published as Ruth Hutcheson smashes six pack beer in bottle shop, kicks people on tram