Sheona Abbey told to leave Gympie court amid Covid close contact claims

A visibly unwell woman, who told the court her daughter was Covid-positive, and she suspected she might also be, left those sitting in a Gympie court stunned as she returned despite being asked to leave...twice.

Gympie court staff and attendees were left stunned after a 44-year-old woman, who claimed to be sick and a close contact of a Covid case, ignored directions to leave.

Sheona Elizabeth Abbey, from Tin Can Bay, entered the courtroom about 11am Monday wearing a surgical mask and was observed approaching police prosecutor Mel Campbell.

She then began to ask Sgt Campbell for clarity on whether she needed to appear for her mention given her child had Covid and was outside in the car.

When the mum said she herself had a runny nose and sore throat, Sgt Campbell told her she should leave and go home to prevent the virus from spreading to other people at the court.

Ms Abbey then left the courtroom, only to return about an hour later when her charges of obstruction police and committing public nuisance were mentioned.

A woman charged with obstructing police and public nuisance has left members of a Gympie court stunned after ignoring directions to leave amid concerns she was a close Covid contact.

He mask was pulled down from her nose and mouth during her appearance.

The matter was adjourned until October 25.

After Ms Abbey left the courtroom Sgt Campbell offered hand sanitiser to the duty solicitor who had been standing close to Ms Abbey for the duration of the hearing, and had met with her one-on-one to discuss her matter earlier in the day.

It did not end there, though, with Sgt Campbell reportedly then stopping Ms Abbey from re-entering the building at the front door a third time about an hour after her appearance.

Raised voices from the exchange could be heard inside the courtroom and Ms Abbey is understood to have finally left the premises in the wake of this third incident.