Case worker bashed outside of Roma court in ‘horrible’ attack

Police will allege the woman was bashed by an irate mother on the steps of the Roma Courthouse, just moments after the alleged attacker’s 12-year-old boy told her, ‘I’m going to f---ing kill you’.

17 Mar 1999 PicBruce/Long The Roma District courthouse undergoing restoration. buildings exterior renovations qld law 35/K/13109-13110

A juvenile caseworker says she has been left traumatised and afraid to return to work after an alleged violent assault on the steps of the Roma courthouse.

The 55-year-old woman was at court to support the bail application of a juvenile offender late last month when she was allegedly bashed by a 35-year-old Roma woman.

The alleged attacker’s juvenile son was reportedly taken into police custody shortly before the altercation.

“She ran up the steps of the courthouse with her fists clenched [and] she hit me in the side of the face,” she said.

“I ended up getting a torn muscle in my shoulder because I used all my upper body strength to push her away.”

The case worker, who asked not to be named for safety reasons, said she was approached moments earlier by the woman’s 12-year-old son who threatened her, saying, “I’m going to f---ing kill you.”

The woman said she was shocked by the sudden and violent behaviour.

“Its heartbreaking to see him abuse me like that,” she said.

“I don’t know why I was targeted.”

The woman only became involved in juvenile case work earlier this year after a career in a different industry.

“I have a heart for kids,” she said.

“I just want to see them do well.”

Since the alleged attack, she said has been unable to return to work.

“When a child stares at you and they say ‘I’m going to track you down’, t really puts the fear in you,” she said.

Roma police were called at around 11.30am and arrested a 35-year-old woman at the scene.

She was later released on bail and is due to front Roma Magistrates Court at a later date.

Her 12-year-old son was also arrested and charged with public nuisance.

He will front the Toowoomba Children’s Court at a later date.