Coco JB Joyce Bishop-Hewitt denied bail over alleged shopping centre attack

New details of an alleged assault that left a security guard at a major Sunshine Coast shopping centre needing CPR have emerged in court as the alleged attacker seeks bail.

Coco JB Joyce Bishop-Hewitt, 24, was remanded in custody for allegedly headbutting a female security guard at Sunshine Plaza, who tried to stop her shoplifting from Kmart. Photo: social media

New details of an alleged brutal assault at a major Sunshine Coast shopping centre, which left a 39-year-old female security guard needing CPR, have emerged in court as her alleged attacker makes a bid for freedom.

Currimundi woman Coco JB Joyce Bishop-Hewitt, 24, was charged with robbery with actual violence and stealing, after she allegedly lashed out at a security guard at Sunshine Plaza on Sunday, May 7.

She appeared in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday, May 8 to make an application for bail, wearing a hospital gown.

The court was told Ms Bishop-Hewitt allegedly tried to leave Kmart with a trolley of stolen items and the security guard was called to intervene.

The two argued, the court was told, before Ms Bishop-Hewitt allegedly headbutted the guard twice.

Coco JB Joyce Bishop-Hewitt allegedly tried to shoplift a trolley full of items from Kmart at Sunshine Plaza when the female security guard was called to intervene.

The security guard walked a short distance after the alleged attack, collapsed and stopped breathing, requiring CPR, the court was told.

She was revived and rushed to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital, the court was told. It was also told Ms Bishop-Hewitt was found close by and arrested shortly after.

Police prosecutor David Hoffman said Ms Bishop-Hewitt had a history of violence and breaching bail and community orders.

He said the evidence in this matter was strong, with CCTV footage of the alleged assault and witness statements obtained by police.

Defence lawyer Luke Bull said Ms Bishop-Hewitt had mental health issues, was not medicated at the time of the alleged offence and had missed a review with her treatment team days before the alleged offence.

The 39-year-old security guard was rushed to hospital after the alleged assault.

He said a psychiatrist’s report would be needed for his client, and it was likely the matter would end up in the mental health court.

Ms Bishop-Hewitt is subject to a treatment authority under Queensland Health, he said, and if she was granted bail, she would be taken to hospital to be assessed on whether she needs to be medicated further.

Mr Bull added although Senior Constable Hoffman said Ms Bishop-Hewitt had a history of violence, she only had one conviction for assault occasioning bodily harm in 2019.

Magistrate Chris Callaghan denied Ms Bishop-Hewitt’s bail.

She was remanded in custody and will return to Maroochydore Magistrates Court on June 30.