Nicole Anne Crawley pleads guilty in Chinchilla Magistrates Court to assaulting police officers, public nuisance

Customers watched on as a drunken mum attacked police as they carried her from a local pub. Here’s what she said in court.

The Club Hotel in Chinchilla is a much-loved local spot where customers can sit back, relax and rewind; however, things turned sour after a patron refused to leave.

On the night of October 22, onlookers watched as an intoxicated woman was forcibly carried out of venue by police as she yelled and scratched at the two officers.

Nicole Anne Crawley, 31, pleaded guilty in Chinchilla Magistrates Court to assaulting police officers and public nuisance after refusing to leave a licensed premises.

Police prosecutor Chris Hutchins said Crawley was given ample time and opportunities to leave on her own free will, but instead The Club Hotel staff had to call police.

“When police got there, she was asked to leave,” he said.

“However, she argued with police and lit a cigarette.

“The defendant dropped her weight to the floor and refused to walk out the premises, but police managed to carry her out onto the pathway.

“She kicked out at a police officer’s leg and poked her fingernails into both the officers hands as Brough tried to handcuff her, scratching the police.

“It’s clear when you read these facts that they were just willing to let her go.

“These officers gave her numerous opportunities to leave whilst they were there and she just wasn’t getting the message, they couldn’t do much more than that.

“You have Brisbane police that jump at the chance to arrest someone the moment they know they fumbled.

“When you’re asked to leave, just go.”

Crawley’s lawyer Brad Skuse told the court that his client, who has multiple public nuisance type offences in her history, was dealing with some stressful issues at the time.

“Her daughter was taken from her regarding issues of accommodation that have since been resolved,” he said.

“She’s now on a mental health plan. She (also) suffers depression and anxiety.

“She has taken steps to address the issues.

“On this occasion she went out and had too much alcohol. She’s pleaded guilty in a timely fashion.”

Magistrate Turra handed Crawley an $800 fine for the charges and recorded her conviction.