Farrah Mary Browne in court for assault occasioning bodily harm

An 18-year-old girl socked another young woman in the face at a McDonald’s drive-through causing the victim to need surgery. She now fears for her safety whenever she is in public.

Farrah Mary Browne. Photo: social media

A Sunshine Coast teenager reached for tissues in court as she was being sentenced for punching a stranger at a drive-through so viciously she had to get surgery.

Farrah Mary Browne pleaded guilty in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on April 12 to one count of assault occasioning bodily harm, two of common assault and one of entering a vehicle to commit an indictable offence at night.

Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin told the court Browne was intoxicated at a McDonald’s drive-through on January 21 and the victims’ car was behind her in the queue.

He said she heard an unknown person yell abuse and Browne, thinking it was directed at her car, stepped out of the vehicle and approached the victims despite not knowing who had yelled.

The drivers of the car had rolled up their windows but did not lock the doors in time, and Browne ripped open the passenger door.

The victim - who was about to pass out drunk - was suddenly punched in the face multiple times by Browne, the court heard.

Farrah Mary Browne. Photo: social media

Mr McLaughlin said the victim received a significant cut on her eyebrow which the hospital had recommended stitches for, and she had to undergo surgery to reset her nose to its original shape.

Another girl in the car tried to shield the her from the punching, and then a man exited the vehicle to tell her to stop and Browne began to attack him before her friends came to stop her.

He received minor soft tissue damage.

“He would have been quite justified in flattening you at the time,” Mr McLaughlin said.

Police prosecutor Nick Nitschke said the girl had suffered physical and psychological harm and her parents ran into financial difficulty due to medical bills and her father requiring to take time off work to care for her.

Mr McLaughlin told the court the victim was traumatised and did not feel safe in public.

Farrah Mary Browne. Photo: social media

Defence lawyer Rose Killip said her client had admitted the matter to police right away and accepted responsibility and her future punishment

She told the court Browne had issues managing her anger and alcohol impaired her judgement and control.

Ms Killip said Browne had undertaken counselling from a young age and had sought rehabilitation prior to and after the incident.

Mr Laughlin sentenced Browne to two years probation and 100 hours of community service.

She was ordered to pay $2000 in compensation and convictions were not recorded.