Goodna woman fronts court for breaking friend’s nose
A Goodna woman has faced court for breaking the nose of a woman accused of bungling a jewellery theft.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Goodna woman has faced multiple assault charges after a drug-fuelled jewellery theft involving a separate woman went wrong last year.
Tara Maree Quayle, 31, pleaded guilty via video link in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Monday (July 11) to common assault, possessing dangerous drugs, and three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm while in company.
The court heard that on June 6, 2021, Quayle’s alleged co-offenders were assaulting a woman who they believed to be responsible for a bungled jewellery theft.
The court heard the victim tried to blame Quayle. In response to the accusation, Quayle punched her twice in the face – breaking her nose.
Magistrate Rowan Silva noted that it wasn’t alleged Quayle had taken part of any pre-planning, and that “given the way [the co-offenders] were already treating the complainant, there may have been a level of fear or concern that you may become that victim yourself if they believed what she was saying”.
The court heard that the alleged co-offenders matters were still before the court and that they would be charged with torture and deprivation of liberty in addition to the assault charges.
After Quayle was taken into custody, she was found with 3.5 grams of methamphetamine (with a pure weight of 1.74 grams), which the court heard she had received from another prisoner.
Quayle said she felt ashamed of herself, particularly because the victim had been a friend.
Magistrate Silva said she should have left the scene and not engaged in violence, and noted that although Quayle broke the victim’s nose, the injuries she allegedly sustained from the co-offenders were even more severe.
Quayle explained that she had suffered mental health challenges, significant personal hardships throughout her childhood, and that some of her recent partners had pressured her to use drugs.
She has worked in the past in housekeeping, cleaning, a Woolworths deli and in the Spring Gully mines.
Quayle ultimately received a head sentence of 365 days imprisonment.
Her time in custody from June 7, 2021 to July 10, 2022 was declared time served, and she was made immediately eligible for parole.
Coles stabbing victim named amid cops’ claim on child suspect
A 63-year-old stabbed Coles worker has been identified as police say her 13-year-old alleged assailant took the knife from the store.
Star rugby footballer’s slaughterhouse injury claim thrown out
A Cairns footballer described as “one of the best” in the league has had his workers compensation claim thrown out of court after his finger was amputated following a workplace accident in Ipswich.