Taylah Michelle Riddle in court for assaulting mum and child

An “aggressive” cleaner who assaulted a child as multiple people punched on in a McDonald’s car park has fronted court for her role in the wild brawl.

A 20-year-old bond cleaner pleaded guilty to assaulting a mother and child at the McDonald's restaurant in Kingaroy by punching them both in the face and dragging the mother by the hair across the carpark, a court has heard.

Taylah Michelle Riddle pleaded guilty to two counts of assault at Kingaroy Magistrates Court on Monday while one of the victims watched on from the courtroom.

The court heard around midnight on January 27, 2023, the adult victim had taken her two children, including the child victim, to McDonald's after attending the speedway that night.

Riddle’s lawyer, Mark Werner, told the court Riddle and her friends arrived at the McDonald's at the same time as the victims, after spending time at a local pub.

Mr Werner said there were numerous fights happening in the McDonald's car park that night.

“There was all manner of other assaults occurring in the car park at the time,” Mr Werner said.

“Taylah’s friend had her ex there (and) was poking him in the chest. Then some other man came across from the pub and just literally bodily threw her onto the tarmac.

“Another gentleman dragged another woman off in a headlock.

Taylah Michelle Riddle pleaded guilty to assaulting a mum and daughter in the McDonald's car park in Kingaroy.

“The victim came across and was having words about everything,” Mr Werner said.

Mr Werner told the court the adult victim was “telling everyone what to do” when Riddle confronted her.

“Taylah said to her ‘well hang on a minute, what kind of mother are you bringing your children into all of this,’” Mr Werner said.

Mr Werner said the victim was allegedly offended by the comments and walked “aggressively” towards Riddle. He argued that Riddle could have been acting in self-defence, but conceded the self-defence was “excessive”.

Police prosecutor Barry Stevens described what was captured on CCTV footage which showed Riddle attacking the victims.

“She used a closed fist and punched the mother in the face and chest,” Sergeant Stevens said.

“The defendant has thrown the victim onto the ground, used her hand and grabbed her hair and was dragging her along the carpark.

“The child has then intervened and shows that the defendant has used a closed fist and punched the face of the child … the child sustained a bloody nose.”

Sgt Stevens said after being punched, the child walked away crying.

The Kingaroy McDonald's car park.

“The child later said that after being assaulted she felt like she was going to vomit,” Sgt Stevens said.

Sgt Stevens said both victims sustained injuries to the face and were taken to the hospital for treatment.

Mr Werner told the court the victim did not have any “significant injuries other than abrasions and bruises”.

During the hearing, one of Riddle’s supporters appeared to laugh at the victim as she expressed dismay during the proceedings.

Magistrate Andrew Sinclair agreed it was “excessive self defence” and Riddle did not start the altercation.

“You were not the instigator of this incident,” Mr Sinclair said.

Mr Sinclair also questioned how the pub across the McDonald's was able to stay open.

“It seems amazing to me that that pub still has its licence,” he said.

Riddle was fined $1000 for both assaults and no convictions were recorded.