Kaylynn Rayna-Jade Malone pleads guilty to assault after funeral

Suspecting an unwanted wake guest of drink driving with a child in the car, a former youth worker and teacher’s aide confronted her and moments later, “just snapped”.

Kaylynn Rayna-Jade Malone pleaded guilty at Murgon Magistrates court to assault and drug charges.

A former truck driver and teacher’s aide who wants to “get back into youth work” has been sentenced over a hair-tearing punch up at a pub wake.

Kaylynn Rayna-Jade Malone pleaded guilty at Murgon Magistrates court on Wednesday to one count of common assault, one count of possessing drugs and one count of driving while drugs were present in her saliva.

The court heard on June 9, 2023, at the Australian Hotel in Murgon, Malone, 32, assaulted a woman during a wake, right after attending the funeral of her (former) partner’s grandfather.

However, Malone’s lawyer, Mark Werner said there was more to the story than what the prosecution had stated.

“There’s always a backstory to how all of this happened, it didn’t just happen,” Mr Werner said.

“The complainant, who wasn’t invited, showed up to the funeral and it was the wake afterwards at the hotel, she wasn’t invited to that, but she showed up.

“Ms Malone believes (the victim) was intoxicated; the young child was in the car being driven around by her.”

The court heard Malone questioned the victim about the child in the car and her alleged intoxicated state.

After confronting her about it, the complainant allegedly told her to “f — k off”, the court heard.

“That’s when she’s just snapped,” Mr Werner said.

Kaylynn Rayna-Jade Malone pleaded guilty at Murgon Magistrates court to assault and drug charges.

Police prosecutor Barry Stevens told the court the victim tried to avoid Malone by going through the back door of the pub.

“She has got into the victim's face, so they were almost forehead to forehead,” Sgt Stevens said.

“The victim tried to get around the defendant, asking her to move out of the way, the defendant then punched her several times in the face and head area with some force, some punches missed.

“There was some hair removed as a result.”

The court also heard the victim suffered “bruising and redness” and police made a routine stop of Malone’s car on November 24, 2023 and found her in possession of 1.7 grams of marijuana.

They also did a saliva drug test which indicated she had marijuana in her system.

Mr Werner told the court Malone was prescribed medical marijuana.

“She does suffer from anxiety and depression for which she is prescribed cannabis,” he said adding Malone was currently on a carer’s pension while looking after her mother,” he said.

“She usually works with children; she’s been a youth worker for two years. She’s also been a teacher’s aide for six years.

“There was a recent break from working with children where she was a truck driver in mining, and she did that for two years at Royston.

“She wants to get back into youth work.”

Magistrate Andrew Sinclair said because of Malone’s “good work history,” no relevant criminal history and her positive work in the community, he would only impose a fine.

“It does seem out of character for you,” Mr Sinclair said.

“Given the valuable work you do in the community I will order that no conviction be recorded for all those charges.”

Malone was fined $700 and suspended from driving for one month.