Zoe Douglass pleads guilty to common assault, wilful damage at North Buderim Coles car park
A Sunshine Coast stay-at-home mother has used her shopping trolley to bowl over a woman in a supermarket car park before lying to police about her version of events.
Police & Courts
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A Nambour mother has admitted to her supermarket car park meltdown where she attacked a grandmother after believing she was going to be run down.
The court was told on Friday how Zoe Anne Louise Douglass, 29, had been shopping with her family at the North Buderim Coles on December 9 last year when she was involved in a violent incident with a 58-year-old woman.
Police prosecutor Shane Raison said the Nambour mother was inside the shopping centre when she returned to her car with groceries about 2.45pm.
Senior Sergeant Raison said simultaneously the victim, with her grandchild in the back seat, slowly tried to park next to Douglass’ car when her car “gently struck” the 29-year-old’s trolley.
The Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard the victim reversed her car two metres back when the Nambour mum yelled “are you f---ing serious?”.
The victim got out of her car to see if there was any damage to her vehicle when the pair began to push and shove.
Senior Sergeant Raison said Douglass used her trolley as a “battering ram” and rammed into the victim, causing her to fall to the ground.
Screaming and swearing filled the busy Saturday afternoon car park as Douglass and the victim continued to push and shove.
Douglass was then seen throwing punches in the direction of the victim's face.
The public and Douglass’ husband intervened with the victim opening the rear car door to check on her grandchild in the back seat.
The police prosecutor said the 29-year-old deliberately kicked the door, which struck the victim and damaged the car.
More pushing and shoving ensued until police arrived about 3pm.
Senior Sergeant Raison said Douglass voluntarily went to Nambour Police Station on December 22 last year for an interview.
It was here she spun her version of events, and claimed the victim had “deliberately driven her vehicle into her, pinning her against her vehicle”.
Douglass said the victim then exited the car and punched the 29-year-old twice in the face.
She conceded to police her mental health conditions had been triggered and believed the victim tried to run her over. Douglass said she also thought the victim was “going for a weapon” and kicked the car door.
The court was told CCTV did not corroborate Douglass’ version and she was later charged with common assault and wilful damage, which she pleaded guilty to on Friday.
Senior Sergeant Raison said the damage caused by the incident was quoted at $2762.21, which was asked as restitution.
Duty lawyer Breanna Bowtell said the stay at home Nambour mum believed in those moments that her life was in danger.
Ms Bowtell tendered medical documents to the court that outlined Douglass’ mental health conditions.
Ms Bowtell said the 29-year-old had no criminal history.
Magistrate Rod Madsen read from the report and accepted Douglass was in a “situation crisis” at the time when she had a “very extreme response” to what was occurring.
Mr Madsen placed her on a 12-month probation order with no conviction recorded. Restitution was also ordered.
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