Delay in charges over Scott Edward James-Peck’s alleged attack

The case against a concreter who allegedly punched a labouring pregnant woman in a Sunshine Coast police station has taken a new turn following a revelation about medical evidence in court.

Scott Edward James-Peck appeared in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on February 8, 2024.

A Sunshine Coast court has heard a missing medical statement will determine whether a concreter accused of assault will have one of his charges downgraded.

Scott Edward James-Peck’s case was mentioned in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on November 1 by defence lawyer Chelsea Emery.

The concreter was charged with one count of grievous bodily harm and one of assault occasioning bodily harm following an alleged assault against a pregnant woman inside Nambour Police Station.

He previously pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Ms Emery told the court she had received an email stating police would downgrade the charge of grievous bodily harm to a second assault occasioning bodily harm but there may have been a “shift” in relation to the charge.

She said no medical statement had been provided in relation to the injuries.

Scott Edward James-Peck appeared in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on February 8, 2024.

Police prosecutor Nick Nitschke said the charge was going to be downgraded as “no one’s bothered” to give a statement in regard to the alleged facial injuries.

Having made a “fresh request” from a Brisbane surgeon, the prosecution will later decide which charge to proceed on, the court heard.

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist adjourned the case to December 6.

The charges originate from an alleged incident at Nambour Police Station on June 19, 2022 against Chloe Heath, who was pregnant at the time, and her partner.

Prior to Mr James-Peck being charged, Ms Heath alleged she was punched in the head after a verbal exchange in the station.

She had also alleged she was three centimetres dilated and had to take medication to prevent labour.

Ms Heath had the earliest possible induction at 36 weeks.