Joanne Fay George pleads guilty to assaulting police officer

A 45-year-old woman who broke the liquor laws in place since 2009 in Cherbourg went on to assault a police officer that same night and remove her clothes after being arrested and placed in the back of a police car.

Since March 2009 Cherbourg Shire has been under an alcohol management plan.

A mother-of-six broke the Cherbourg liquor laws before assaulting a police officer and stripping down in the back of a police car, screaming “rape”, a court has heard.

Joanne Fay George, 45, appeared at Murgon Magistrates Court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to possessing more than the prescribed quantity of liquor in a restricted area, assaulting a police officer, obstructing a police officer and failing to appear in court.

Police prosecutor Lisa Manns said at about 2.50am on January 17, 2024, Murgon police went to a home on Collins Rd in Cherbourg after receiving a call about a disturbance.

“Upon arrival an adult female refused to open the front door and it wasn’t until a child at the address opened the front door that the police were able to gain entry without using force,” Sergeant Manns said.

Police detained George, a mother-of-six, and said she was “extremely intoxicated” and “slurring her words”.

“She was unable to walk straight,” Sgt Manns said.

Police saw 10 empty cans of Jim Beam bourbon and Cola along with an unopened can and two opened bottles of wine.

“Police asked her to hand over the restricted alcohol but the defendant said ‘no it’s my grog’.

Since March 2009 Cherbourg Shire has been under an alcohol management plan.

Since March 2009 Cherbourg Shire has been under an alcohol management plan.

The maximum amount of alcohol that a person can have at any given time in Cherbourg Shire is 30 x 375ml cans of light or mid-strength beer with less than four per cent alcohol.

Wine and spirits are prohibited.

‘Forever 21’: Emotional tributes for young dad killed in horror crash

Sgt Manns said when police explained to George that having the restricted liquor was an offence, she “got up off the couch, grabbed a large standing speaker and slammed it down on the ground”.

The court heard police restrained George and had to “carry” her outside to the police car after she resisted.

“She raised her fist at police threatening to punch them.

“The police verbally warned the defendant not to assault them at which point the defendant punched Constable Jackson twice, once in the left arm and another in the chest,” Sgt Manns said.

George was then arrested and put into the back of the police vehicle.

“She then removed all her clothes and screamed ‘rape’,” the court heard.

Since March 2009 Cherbourg Shire has been under an alcohol management plan. Picture: Liam Kidston

‘Court’s time wasted’: Magistrate takes aim at prosecutor, defence lawyer

At the watch house, police “negotiated” with George for her to put her clothes back on, which she eventually did.

Her lawyer, Babu Singh from Babu Singh and Associates, told the court George was “extremely intoxicated” during the incident and her behaviour was “completely out of the ordinary”.

“She is remorseful … she is very sorry about that incident of that night,” Mr Singh said.

Magistrate Andrew Sinclair ordered George complete 40 hours community service for the offences.

Convictions were recorded and the alcohol was forfeited.