Woman sentenced in Rockhampton Magistrates Court for common assault

A woman has found herself before a Rockhampton court for pushing her younger pre-teen brother into a cupboard and slapping him across the face during an argument. Here’s what happened.

A woman has found herself before a Rockhampton court for pushing her younger pre-teen brother into a cupboard and slapping him across the face during an argument.

The woman aged in her 20s, who cannot be named to protect the identity of her victim, pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on August 10 to one count of common assault.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Peter Rumford said at the time of the offence the woman and victim child, who was 11–12 years old, were living at an address in North Rockhampton.

Senior Constable Rumford said the victim child was outside feeding a dog about 10pm on June 3, 2018 when he was locked outside by the woman.

She eventually let the boy back inside and an argument broke out between the pair. The woman grabbed her brother by his wrist and pushed him backwards into the cupboard, then slapped him across the face.

The boy’s mother heard the disturbance and separated them.

Shortly after the incident, the woman was asked to leave the address.

Senior Constable Rumford said the victim child provided a statement to police at a later date.

Defence lawyer Samantha Legrady said the victim child was her client’s younger brother and that it was a family issue.

“It is an unusual circumstance that it is a family situation, unfortunately, it has gone further,” Ms Legrady said.

“We do see these things happen in families and they don’t generally get reported to police.

“Unfortunately, it has been reported by her mum.

“She moved after this incident and is estranged from the family.

“She hasn’t had any contact with her brother since then.”

Ms Legrady said her client had no criminal history.

The woman was ordered to a six-month good behaviour bond with a $600 recognisance and no criminal conviction recorded.