Robert Gerard McKelvie pleaded guilty to common assault after poking a CWA Tannum Sands member in the forehead

An upset Tannum Sands man has faced court after storming into a Country Women’s Association meeting and assaulting a woman due to an ongoing dispute. Read more here:

A man who went into bat for his wife who had recently been excluded from a women’s association faced Gladstone Magistrates Court on Monday.

Robert Gerard McKelvie, 63, pleaded guilty to common assault after an incident which occurred at the Country Women’s Associations’ Tannum Sands branch.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Tania Griffiths told the court McKelvie’s wife was a longstanding, supportive member of the Association.

Tannum Sands CWA Hall.

“On July 23 the victim was inside the Tannum Sands CWA with three other women tidying up after their Annual General Meeting,” Ms Griffiths said.

“Around 3pm, the defendant entered the building in an aggressive manner and was verbally abusive towards the elderly women inside the building.

“Once in the building, the defendant saw the victim near the kitchen and approached her calling her a ‘f---ing b---- c---’.

“The defendant stopped around one metre from the victim and aggressively thrust his chest and head towards the victim shouting ‘boo’ three times in her face.

“The defendant continued to verbally abuse the victim before raising his hand and with his index finger poked the victim in her forehead, which knocked her head backwards.”

The victim walked out of the CWA building and to the police station, with police speaking with McKelvie about the ongoing dispute.

On August 13, McKelvie was interviewed by police and told them he went into the CWA building and used profanities towards the victim.

“He stated he walked up to the victim and shouted ‘boo’ in her face, however, the defendant told police he was not meant to intimidate the victim,” Ms Griffiths said.

“The defendant then stated he was asked to leave, which he did, however, denied he ever assaulted or even touched the victim.”

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In sentencing, Magistrate Bevan Manthey said it was best if McKelvie just put the incident behind him and tried to help his wife in other ways in future.

McKelvie was convicted and placed on a six month good with a $400 recognisance. No conviction was recorded.