Maria Fay Coolwell pleads guilty in Biloela court to public nuisance following loud street disturbance

A Central Queensland mother of three has been told she “cannot be drinking liquor in the street” following her latest run-in with the law. Here’s what happened.

A Central Queensland mother of three who caused a street disturbance while drinking wine has been told she has to behave better for the sake of her children.

Maria Fay Coolwell, 28, pleaded guilty in Biloela Magistrates Court on August 3 to charges including public nuisance, consuming liquor in public and contravening a police requirement.

Police prosecutor Kelvin Boyd said on May 16 at 3.50am, police found Coolwell sitting on a roadside kerb in Don Street, Biloela.

“(Coolwell) had been visiting people at the address and was asked to leave by the occupants of the house,” Mr Boyd said.

“A witness at the address said (Coolwell) was yelling and screaming abuse at them from across the street.”

The court was told that a resident had called Triple Zero in relation to a loud disturbance which could be heard by the Triple Zero operator.

Mr Boyd said when police found Coolwell sitting on the kerb, she had a large Coke bottle which was half full of Moselle (wine), and she said she had been sitting in the street drinking it.

Mr Boyd said when officers questioned Coolwell, she stated she “started going off on the road” and yelled “go and get f---ed, wait until my mother arrives, wait until my mother gets here... you old f---ing dog.”

Solicitor Richard Parks said Coolwell was a mother of three who was receiving a disability pension.

In relation to the contravening a police requirement, Mr Parks said Coolwell had forgotten to supply police with her identifying particulars.

In terms of the street incident, Mr Parks said Coolwell admitted she said the things as outlined in the police facts.

The court heard Coolwell had a criminal history which included dishonesty offending, wilful damage and a previous public nuisance offence.

Before handing down penalty, Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale told Coolwell that she “had her hands full” as a mother and she “cannot be drinking liquor in the street.”

Coolwell then told Ms Beckinsale that she had given up alcohol.

Ms Beckinsale replied: “Well, you’ve got to. And be responsible (as a mother)... so this sort of behaviour can’t continue.

“When you were a younger woman, you were appearing in court quite frequently, and you’ve had quite a gap (in offending).

“You’ve got to just draw a line... and really grow up and take on responsibility that your children need you there to parent them.”

Ms Beckinsale fined Coolwell $700 and convictions were recorded.