Woman bashed after attacker lurks outside pub

"Those are the only reasons you are avoiding a period of imprisonment"

A WOMAN has been left with broken bones and a black eye after trying to defend herself from a violent attack in a pub laneway.

Peyton O'Flaherty was given a 12 month probation order for the assault charge in Kingaroy Magistrates Court on November 5.

Prosecutor Pepe Gangemi said the victim was out drinking with friends at the Commercial Hotel when she went up to the dance floor with one of her friends on Saturday, September 15.

"She bumped into the defendant, who then pushed her," Sgt Gangemi said.

"Security staff intervened and O'Flaherty was removed from the pub."

Sgt Gangemi said the 21-year-old woman had then waited in the lane way outside until the victim left the pub when it closed at around 1.20am on September 16.

Sgt Gangemi said words were exchanged between the women outside when O'Flaherty approached the victim.

The defendant then allegedly grabbed the victim by the hair and punched her about three times in the face.

"The victim had then begun swinging her arms to free herself before bystanders separated the two women," he said.

"The victim sustained a bruised and bleeding nose, a fractured finger, and a black eye."

The defendant also received a black eye during the incident.

The prosecutor said the defendant had been spoken to on the night and was reported to be intoxicated to the point of 'past tipsy.'

Magistrate Louisa Pink said the alcohol was not an excuse, but the facts surrounding the assault were concerning.

"There seems to be an incident on the dance floor, and it's totally disproportionate that you should wait in a pre-meditated way and assault her as seriously as you did," she said.

Magistrate Pink said the woman narrowly missed a period of imprisonment due to her early plea, her young age and having no criminal history.

"Those are the only reasons you are avoiding a period of imprisonment," she said.

The 21-year-old woman was put on a probation order for a period of 12 months, and must take part in counselling and other programs.

"It is in the community's best interest for you to learn to conduct yourself better," Magistrate Pink said.

O'Flaherty was ordered to also partake in anger management classes, as part of her probation order.

She will be required to perform 50 hours of unpaid community service.

No convictions were recorded.