Mackay mum Danielle Louise McDougall sentenced for public nuisance in Townsville

A young mum who had a seizure in the terminal threw her phone and screamed at Qantas staff who refused to let her fly without medical clearance, but trouble continued at the hospital.

General Aerial of Townsville Airport. Generic Townsville Airport.

A young mum who had a seizure in an airport had the police called on her twice in one day after she became “aggressive and abusive” towards Qantas and hospital staff.

Police prosecutor Leonie Taufa’ao said Danielle Louise McDougall collapsed in Townsville Airport due to a seizure on September 28, 2023, but soon recovered her temper when staff said she could not board her flight home to Mackay without medical clearance.

“As a result (McDougall)’s behaviour escalated, she screamed at the staff before proceeding ... to throw her phone across the terminal on two occasions,” Ms Taufa’ao said.

“Police have arrived to find the defendant still argumentative and she was transported to Townsville University Hospital to get medical clearance.

“(When told) she would be placed in a waiting room to be assessed, the defendant became abusive towards the hospital staff, arguing for a long period of time while swearing at them and refusing to leave the stretcher (the ambulance) had escorted her in on.

“So the police were again requested.”

The 25-year-old mother of two pleaded guilty in Mackay Magistrates Court to committing a public nuisance and conduct causing a public nuisance.

Aaron Sellentin of Barron & Allen Lawyers said McDougall had been in Townsville to attend the hospital for tests regarding her seizures, having also suffered from complex mental illness.

“I asked her why she had a seizure, she says she got a call about concerns for her children and that may have contributed to some stress for her,” Mr Sellentin said.

Magistrate Damien Dwyer asked Mr Sellentin for any medical reports to substantiate his client’s claims, but none were provided.

Mr Dwyer also called into question two character references submitted in McDougall’s defence, noting they had “almost the same wording: ‘I believe this doesn’t reflect Danielle’s true character’”.

“It’s the sixth time she’s committed the offence, it is her true character,” Mr Dwyer quipped.

“The first time she committed a similar offence was five years before you say these seizures occurred, so it’s got nothing to do with the seizures, it’s something to do with her character and it’s been going on for a long time

“Now the simple fact is if she doesn’t do something about it I’m going to have to send her to prison.”

McDougall was fined $1200 and had convictions recorded.