Central Queensland woman celebrates 50th birthday in prison after assaulting a police officer

The Central Queensland woman threatened to kill her former partner, assaulted a police officer, and yelled and swore at patients and nurses at the emergency department.

The defendant pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 26 to five counts of contravening a domestic violence order, two counts of breaching a bail condition, and one count each of assaulting a police officer, committing public nuisance, common assault (domestic violence offence), evasion offence, and drink driving. FILE PHOTO

A Central Queensland woman, who celebrated her 50th birthday in prison after threatening to kill her former partner, assaulting a police officer, and yelling and swearing at patients and nurses at the emergency department at hospital, has been released on parole.

The defendant, who cannot be named due to legal reasons, pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 26 to five counts of contravening a domestic violence order, two counts of breaching a bail condition, and one count each of assaulting a police officer, committing public nuisance, common assault (domestic violence offence), evasion offence, and drink driving.

The court heard the most serious offence committed was the assault of the police officer on January 4, which involved the defendant kicking the officer in the shin after they attended a domestic violence incident at the victim’s address.

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale noted the police officer did not suffer any injury.

Police prosecutor Sarah Rowe said restitution was sought for the police officer that was assaulted.

The court also heard the defendant yelled at patients and swore at nurses at the emergency department at hospital.

Ms Beckinsale said the most serious contravention of a domestic violence order involved the defendant attacking the victim while he was driving on September 2, 2020.

The defendant struck the victim in the chest with her elbow, which caused pain and shock, and then breached his neck.

The defendant then threatened the victim, saying, “I will kill you; I will strangle you with a guitar wire”, the court heard.

Ms Rowe said the defendant, who had a three-page criminal history and two-page traffic history, showed a blatant disregard for court orders.

Defence lawyer Emma Locke said her client was diagnosed with ADHD and, at the time of the offending, was off her medication as it had allegedly been stolen.

Ms Locke said her client had significant mental health issues, and issues with alcohol.

She said her client yelled out at the emergency department at hospital because she was unable to cope with the noise due to her ADHD.

She said the relationship between her client and the victim was over and that her client was happy to pay restitution to the police officer.

Ms Beckinsale said it was “clearly apparent” that alcohol was a feature in the defendant’s offending.

She said the defendant had celebrated her 50th birthday in prison.

“You can’t change that, but you can change how you lead the rest of your life going forward,” she said.

“The first step will be never drinking again, ever.

“This can be your last ever episode in prison. Please for your benefit and your family you can make that the case.”

The defendant was sentenced to prison for 12 months with immediate parole and 202 days declared as time served.

She was also ordered to pay $200 restitution and disqualified from driving for two years and six months with convictions recorded.