Carol Ellena Thomas sentenced for Gladstone nightclub assault

An off-duty nurse snapped after she saw her ex-girlfriend “being inappropriately intimate” with another woman on the dancefloor at a Gladstone nightclub.

A woman has faced a Gladstone court for a nightclub assault. Generic image.

A registered nurse has faced court after she punched her ex-girlfriend twice in the mouth, on the dancefloor at a Gladstone nightclub.

Carol Ellena Thomas, 55, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court on April 5 to assault occasioning bodily harm in public while intoxicated (domestic violence offence).

The court heard that between 1am and 5am on January 23, 2021, Thomas was at Mieplace Niteclub when she saw her ex-girlfriend - the victim in this matter - on the dancefloor with another woman.

Police prosecutor Jennifer Leach said Thomas approached the victim, threw a cup of water on her, and punched her twice in the mouth.

Ms Leach said Thomas was then removed by security.

The prosecutor said the victim felt pain and she suffered a split lip.

Ms Leach said when police spoke to Thomas, she said she had previously “had words” with the victim and then she saw her ex “being inappropriately intimate” with another woman.

The court heard Thomas told police her initial reaction was to throw a drink at the victim, but then she believed her ex grabbed her around the waist so she reacted with the two punches to the face.

The court was told Thomas had no criminal history.

Solicitor Madison Kurtz said Thomas accepted the prosecution facts and she submitted that no conviction be recorded as one could impact her client, who was a registered nurse with Queensland Health and also operated her own business.

Ms Kurtz said Thomas and the victim had previously been in a relationship which “ended badly”.

The solicitor said before the nightclub incident, Thomas had been drinking “for three days straight”.

Ms Kurtz said Thomas accepted her actions were “totally inappropriate.”

“She instructs she is ashamed of her actions,” Ms Kurtz said.

Ms Kurtz said Thomas had undergone counselling and was now in a de facto relationship with another woman who was in court in support of her.

Acting Magistrate Mary Buchanan accepted this offending was “totally out of character” for Thomas.

Ms Buchanan ordered Thomas perform 60 hours of unpaid community service and pay $500 compensation to the victim.

No conviction was recorded.