Ocean St showdown: Ella-Grace Ashby pleads guilty to assault at Maroochydore

A young eyelash technician’s victim had her earrings pulled out in a boozy brawl after tensions peaked on the Sunshine Coast nightclub strip.

Ella-Grace Ashby faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Friday. Picture: Sunshine Coast Daily

A teenage eyelash technician has been given a suspended jail sentence after she attacked a woman twice in a matter of weeks.

Maroochydore Magistrates Court was told on Friday how Ella-Grace Ashby, 19, harboured animosity towards her victim until tensions erupted in the infamous Ocean St party district on the Sunshine Coast.

Details of the attacks, which involved a frenzied melee in Maroochydore, were recounted following the Parrearra woman’s guilty pleas to assault occasioning bodily harm in a public place while adversely affected, common assault and stealing.

Police prosecutor Phil Stephens told the court the most serious attack took place on February 2 at the Maroochydore Safe Night Precinct when she was 18.

In reading from the facts, Magistrate Rod Madsen noted Ashby and the victim spoke briefly outside a venue before Ashby grabbed the woman and punched her to the head.

Mr Madsen said the teenager continued to attack the victim after they fell to the ground.

The court was told Ashby was also on the ground at one point and was held down by the victim to prevent further attacks until security arrived.

Sergeant Stephens said security then separated the pair however the arguing continued.

She pleaded guilty to all charges.

He told the court Ashby was “so motivated” she broke free from the grip of security and punched the victim again.

Mr Madsen said the other woman had her earrings pulled out of her ear due to the assault and also suffered swollen ears, grazes to her knees and a swollen foot.

He said it was later determined she fractured her foot.

Sergeant Stephens said this same victim was attacked by Ashby only two weeks earlier on January 17 prior to the Ocean St showdown.

Ashby was also involved in a stealing offence on February 1, however details of this incident were not retold in open court.

Defence solicitor Madalyn Olivero said the catalyst for both attacks could be chalked down to intoxication however claimed the charges acted as a “sobering experience” for the 19-year-old.

The Parrearra woman outside court.

Ms Olivero said the part time traffic controller and eyelash technician was six months’ sober and gained insight into her offending and had engaged in counselling.

She also claimed there was some element of provocation in both assaults, where the conversation between the two women angered Ashby.

The solicitor said both times the 19-year-old was unable to appropriately manage her emotions and resorted to violence.

The court was told Ashby was also injured in the assault and suffered a black eye and a laceration.

Mr Madsen said it was clear Ashby held some “animosity” towards the victim as she was brought before the court for stealing allegedly due to the victim’s actions.

He said this was part of Ashby’s motivations but told her defendants could serve actual time behind bars for assaults, despite their young age.

Ashby was handed a nine-month jail term which was suspended immediately for 18 months.

She was also placed on an 18-month probation order and ordered to perform 40 hours of community service.