Penny Robyn Lucas used police as a “punching bag” in a drunken attack at a Noosa taxi rank

A Wurtulla woman who punched two police officers in the head multiple times yelled “do you want another punch in the head c--t” during an alcohol-fuelled attack.

Penny Robyn Lucas yelled “do you want another punch in the head c--t” during an alcohol-fueled attack on two police officers she punched in the face multiple times. Picture: Laura Pettigrew.

A Wurtulla woman yelled “do you want another punch in the head c--t” during an alcohol-fuelled attack on two police officers she punched in the face multiple times, a Coast court has heard.

Penny Robyn Lucas was “belligerent and disrespectful” towards police who were trying to arrest her violent partner, Joe Derek Jenkins, on June 12 in Noosa.

Police prosecutor Alison Johnstone said Lucas continually defied police direction to stop obstructing the arrest and directly punched them in the face multiple times.

Sergeant Johnstone held her hand in a police officer’s face before attacking the two police officers.

“She will come forward to police and directly punch them in the face numerous times,” she said.

She said two police officers and Jenkins, who was on the ground, were all being affected by capsicum spray when Lucas attacked again by punching one of the officers in the face.

Sergeant Johnstone said the 33-year-old’s actions were very poor within minutes of police arrival and put the two officers in danger.

“Her punches to police directly are repetitive, consistent (and) protracted,” she said.

“They don’t cause specific injury but the secondary effect of that is not allowing them (police) to continue to restrain the larger bigger people, it exposes them to a further strike from another person that would inflict a heavier blow.”

She said Lucas’ sentence should not be reduced because her punches didn’t cause specific injury to the police officers.

The court also heard the Wurtulla resident, who blew a blood alcohol reading of 0.217, was yelling and screaming at police during her attack.

“ … (Lucas) says ‘do you want another punch in the head c--t’, before then grabbing his glasses from his head and saying ‘I have your glasses, I’m going to break you glasses c--t’ and then ‘I just broke your glasses’ as she snapped them into pieces in her hands,” Sergeant Johnstone said.

Victim impact statements written by the officers mentioned how Lucas’ verbal abuse had been degrading.

Lucas pleaded guilty to in Noosa Magistrates Court on Tuesday to two counts of serious assault of a police officer, one of public nuisance in the vicinity of a licensed premise and wilful damage.

Solicitor Patrick Meehan said Lucas was very emotional on the night and her alcohol-driven behaviour peaked when she saw her partner writhing in pain from capsicum spray.

“She is emotionally reacting to the things that are happening to Mr Jenkins …,” he said.

Mr Meehan said the 33-year-old had no criminal history and had taken steps towards her own rehabilitation.

He said Lucas would benefit from probation that would help her manage her alcohol consumption.

He said a probation period or suspended sentence combined with a banning order and compensation would be a significant “hang over” from the offending.

The court heard Lucas had said she respected police in an apology letter.

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist said the mother’s behaviour was very serious and “appalling”.

“Bright-eyed and bushy tailed men and women join the police force to serve and protect the community, they didn’t join to be a punching bag,” he said.

Lucas was sentenced to two years’ probation and was ordered to pay $1000 in compensation and $319 for the broken glasses.

She was also given a two-year banning notice for the area.

Lucas’ partner Joe Derek Jenkins pleaded guilty to three offences including one count of serious assault of a police officer while adversely affected and obstructing police.

He was placed on a 12-month suspended prison sentence for three years.

He was also given a banning notice for two years, ordered to pay $1000 in compensation and ordered to complete 80 hours.