Nikola Raine Benson in Rockhampton court for assault and stealing
A magistrate told a young mother to get her life in order after she stole $170 in clothes and punched a woman in the head.
Police & Courts
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A young mother punched a woman in the head after she allegedly trashed her house and stole $170 worth of clothes from a store in Stockland Rockhampton Shopping Centre.
Nikola Raine Benson, 24, pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on August 28 to one count each of assault occasioning bodily harm and stealing.
Police prosecutor Corey O’Connor said Benson punched a woman in the face and body on March 2 about 5.50pm, bruising her lip and cheek and causing immediate pain and discomfort.
Mr O’Connor said police questioned Benson on May 17 and she stated she had gone to the woman’s home and punched her a couple of times because she had caused some ongoing issues and had ransacked a home.
Benson also stole from TK Maxx in Stockland Rockhampton Shopping Centre on February 18.
Mr O’Connor said Benson, along with two other people, entered the store about 4pm and filled up a trolley with $170 worth of clothes.
He said Benson and a juvenile left the store with the trolley and did not pay for the clothes.
“The offence was captured on CCTV and the defendant was clearly identified,” he said.
Defence lawyer Brian McGowran said the juvenile was pushing the trolley.
Mr McGowran said the woman his client had punched in the head had came around to her house and trashed the place.
He said the woman had been in a relationship with her former partner.
Mr McGowran said his client went to the woman’s house to talk to her.
“Instead of apologising (she) dug her heels in and said ‘why are you ganging up on me’ and started saying she was the victim,” he said.
“So, spur of the moment, Nikola hit her.”
He said his client was getting counselling.
Magistrate Cameron Press said, “it seems to me you are becoming a violent person”.
“Because something didn’t go your way or someone didn’t respond as you thought they should you punched them,” he said.
“It’s not acceptable to go around punching people to the head or face because they don’t respond how you want them to.
“You should be old enough to understand.
“If there was evidence of you repeatedly punching or if the injuries had of been more significant I have every confidence you would have been going to jail.
“You need to start getting your life in order.”
Mr Press sentenced Benson to nine months prison with immediate parole.
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