Mum apologises for calling magistrate a ‘f***ing c***’

UPDATE: She had been taken to Mackay watch-house following a fiery outburst. Later she gave a tearful apology

A woman was sent to Mackay watch-house after she failed to appear in court in October. Photo: Brett Wortman / Sunshine Coast Daily

UPDATE: A Mackay mum told she could face a contempt of court charge has since apologised to the magistrate she called a “f***ing c***” and a “piece of sh*t”.

Jessica Manunta unleased a tirade of profanities against Magistrate Damien Dwyer after she was told she would be placed in the watch-house for allegedly failing to appear.

Mackay Magistrates Court heard the mother, who is facing a charge of common assault, did not show up for court on October 7. She has now been charged with failing to appear.

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On learning she would be placed in the watch-house Ms Manunta became angry and tried to run from the room yelling she needed to pick up her nine-year-old daughter from school.

The fiery incident lasted about seven minutes.

After just more than an hour in the watch-house Ms Manunta was brought back into the courtroom where she offered a teary apology.

“I do apologise for my disgusting actions earlier displayed today in the courtroom,” Ms Manunta said.

“It’s unacceptable and … not really justified whatsoever. I really do apologise.”

Ms Manunta was granted bail and matters were adjourned for sentence to Thursday.

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EARLIER: A mother was threatened with a contempt of court charge over a fiery outburst directed at a Mackay magistrate.

Jessica Manunta called Magistrate Damien Dwyer a “f***ing c***” while on a phone call after she had been placed in the courtroom dock.

It is alleged Ms Manunta failed to appear in Mackay Magistrates Court a couple of months ago and a warrant was issued.

Ms Manunta is charged with common assault. She allegedly failed to appear in court on October 7.

When the mother rocked up to court on Monday in relation to her matters, Magistrate Damien Dwyer indicated she would be going into the watch-house.

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On hearing this, Ms Manunta refused to get into the dock and tried to flee the courtroom.

She was distressed and yelling she needed to pick up her daughter from school.

Prosecutor Harry Coburn had to block her attempted escape and courthouse security had to be called into the room.

“I need to organise to pick up my daughter from school first,” Ms Manunta repeatedly yelled while trying to force her way out of the room.

Police were called and four officers attended the room wearing full equipment.

On hearing police had been called, Ms Manunta agreed to sit in the dock where she made several phone calls in relation to her daughter.

At one point Mr Dwyer left the room, after he returned Ms Manunta directed profanities in his direction including calling him a “f***ing c***” of a judge and a “f***ing piece of sh*” as she was ushered into the watch-house holding area.

Mr Dwyer asked for her to be brought back into the room.

She could be heard loudly yelling in the background before she was brought back in and told she would be taken to the watch-house and a solicitor would visit her.

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“For how long … I have a nine year old at home with no parents that is what I was freaking out over because I can’t go and get her,” she yelled at Mr Dwyer.

“I am thinking of charging you with contempt of court,” Mr Dwyer said.

“For what, I’ve been here all f***ing morning,” Ms Manunta said.

Mr Dwyer told her there was a transcript of her comments in court.

“What that you’re a piece of sh*t,” Ms Manunta said.

She was taken to the watch-house and will reappear in court later today.

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