Holly Louise Cheatley in Gympie court for 19 offences

A former Sunshine Coast health worker returned to jail after she was denied bail, but not before she made a desperate attempt to escape the Gympie courthouse. See how it all unfolded.

A 28-year-old health worker who was so desperate to escape jail she jumped out of the dock and onto the Magistrates bench has avoided further jail time for a string of crimes.

Holly Louise Cheatley pleaded guilty Tuesday to 19 charges including unlawful use of a motor vehicle, attempting to escape custody, assaulting police, driving under the influence of drugs while holding an expired C class licence, contravening a direction or requirement, failing to appear twice, breaching bail twice, three charges obstructing police, two charges of trespass, and two charges of wilful damage.

Cheatley was denied bail during her court appearance on July 5, 2022.

When told this she first bashed on the courtroom dock, screaming “I can’t go in there again”, before climbing out and over the courtroom dock.

Cheatley then headed for Magistrate Chris Callaghan’s desk and launched herself on top of it, coming within a metre of him.

“Don’t do this,” Mr Callaghan said as two police officers tried to restrain her.

“Get away from me!” she screamed as the two officers approached her.

Mr Callaghan then left the room and the court was adjourned.

Cheatley was arrested and could be heard screaming “I don’t wanna go in there”, “I didn’t do anything” and “this is f---ing torture” as she was taken to the watch house.

Mr Callaghan said on Tuesday Cheatley attempted to escape the courthouse through the Magistrate’s chambers before she was grabbed by the prosecutor.

Cheatley also used her mother’s car without her permission in October 26, 2021, the court heard.

“You seemed to be under the influence of something but you have not been charged (in relation to this),” Mr Callaghan said

Cheatley worked in pathology laboratory in Melbourne before starting biology studies at the Sunshine Coast while working as a receptionist.

She later completed her Certificate III in Pathology and started working at QML Pathology in Golden Beach before Covid-19 lockdowns affected her works and she lost her employment.

She later became homeless, and resorted to couchsurfing, Cheatley’s solicitor told the court.

Cheatley wished to return to her previous line of work after her life “returns back to normal,” Cheatley’s solicitor said.

Cheatley was sentenced to six months jail and was released on four months’ parole.

She was disqualified from driving for three months. Convictions were recorded.