Gemma Voogt in court for assaulting classmate at Springfield bus station

A group of teenage girls allegedly ganged up on a former classmate outside an Ipswich shopping centre, in what a court heard was an ‘unforgivable’ and ‘brazen’ display of violence.

Gemma Anne Beverley Voogt leaving Ipswich Courthouse on March 29, 2023. Picture: Nicola McNamara

An aspiring childcare worker brutally bashed a former classmate outside a local shopping centre after receiving life-altering news from her mother.

North Booval resident Gemma Anne Beverley Voogt, 19, pleaded guilty in Ipswich District Court on March 29, 2023, to robbery in company with personal violence and assault occasioning bodily harm in company.

The court heard Voogt, allegedly accompanied by two underage co-accused, had ganged up on a former classmate on August 10, 2022.

Crown prosecutor Rachel Stewart said the victim, an 18-year-old female, had been at the Orion Hotel in Springfield that day and was later attacked at a nearby bus station.

Ms Steward said Voogt, allegedly with her co-accused, approached the victim and “quickly became aggressive,” demanding she give them money.

The court heard one of Voogt’s co-accused, 17, allegedly punched the victim in the head.

Ms Stewart said Voogt then kicked the victim twice as she lay on the ground and punched her in the head.

She said the co-accused tried to leave but Voogt stayed and kicked the victim another two times.

The co-accused then allegedly returned, shouted at the victim to give them money and snatched $190 from her.

The trio started walking away again but Voogt spotted the victim rising to her knees and they all allegedly returned and continued to harass her.

The court heard the underage co-accused then left, while Voogt stayed and “tipped out” all of the victim’s shopping.

Ms Stewart said Voogt then punched the victim in the head and dragged her by her jumper to the ground before kicking her again in the head.

“The complainant remained motionless on the ground until she was assisted by a community member,” Ms Stewart said.

She noted a bus had arrived at one stage during the “brazen” and “gratuitous” display of violence, but none of the bystanders had stepped in.

The victim suffered swelling and bruising, and Judge Ken Barlow noted both the victim and Voogt were fortunate her injuries were not worse.

The incident was captured on CCTV and Voogt was arrested soon after.

The court heard she made admissions to police but had “minimised” her role in the offending.

Her defence barrister Cecelia Bernardin said Voogt had “felt some pressure” to join in.

Upon viewing the CCTV footage, however, Judge Barlow said it appeared Voogt was the ringleader.

“You were the person who mostly didn’t walk away from this person and continued to harass her,” he told Voogt.

Ms Bernardin said her client had struggled throughout her upbringing being bullied at school and said she had a number of mental health difficulties.

At the time of the offending, Voogt had been off her medication and had also just discovered her mother had been diagnosed with a terminal illness.

“It may well be that that combination caused [Voogt] to commit these offences, but even so, they’re unforgivable offences,” Judge Barlow said.

“There’s no excuse for this sort of behaviour, none at all.”

Ms Bernardin emphasised her client’s young age and lack of any criminal history.

She said Voogt had recently got married and now aspired to work in childcare.

The court heard Voogt had started an online diploma before the incident, but her blue card had since been suspended as a result of the charges.

“If you wish to have a career in childcare you’re going to have to make sure that you don’t commit any further offences,” Judge Barlow told Voogt.

“If you had any criminal history I would have had very little hesitation in sentencing you to a period of imprisonment … but you are a young woman who has your whole life ahead of you and I hope that you make the best of that life.’’

Voogt was sentenced to two years probation. No convictions were recorded.