Karen Joy Middleton faces Mackay court over deprivation of liberty charge

A Queensland woman allegedly got two men to drag a 29yo man back to her home, brandishing weapons and holding him against his will until he managed to escape.

Police investigated a property on Grendon St in North Mackay after it was alleged a woman held a 29 year old male against his will. Photo: Fergus Gregg

A 29-year-old man was allegedly held against his will over a “protracted” four day period before he managed to escape.

Charged with depriving his liberty was Karen Joy Middleton who faced Mackay Magistrates Court on Monday following her arrest on Sunday afternoon.

The 52-year-old woman is also charged with one count each of assault occasioning bodily harm and unlawful possession of a category D/H/R weapon and two counts each of common assault and possessing dangerous drugs.

The court heard Ms Middleton had allegedly got help from two other males, whose identities at this stage remain unknown, to drag her victim back to her home along Grendon St in North Mackay.

Police prosecutor Ruth Whisker, in objecting Ms Middleton’s application for bail, said the allegations were “extremely serious” and involved calculated and “protracted” offending over four days before the victim could escape.

Police officers responded to reports a man had been held against his will for a number of days at a property on Grendon St in North Mackay on Sunday, April 14, 2024. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Ms Middleton and her alleged victim were known to each other and he and lives at a North Mackay property only a short 2km drive from her home.

“The defendant has not shown any remorse, in fact the messages appear to be gloating in nature,” Ms Whisker said, adding the issues which led to the alleged offending were still unresolved.

Legal Aid Queensland solicitor Ancilla Seethya said Ms Middleton was not in a show cause position and she had received instructions the charges would be contested despite the “strong” evidence.

Ms Seethya said Ms Middleton’s history of assault occasioning bodily harm and serious assault were 22 and 18 years ago and she had in the past complied with bail conditions and appeared before the court.

Acting magistrate Athol Kennedy granted bail on the conditions Ms Middleton reports to the Mackay Police Station three times a week, has no contact with the complainant and stays at least 200m away from his address.

She must also abstain from drugs and alcohol and submit to testing as ordered by police.