Mum faces court for punching staff member at nightclub

She admitted to being part of a brawl outside an Airlie club but it took years to face the matter.

The deserted Airlie Beach Main Street.

FOUR years after Kellie Teresa McEnroe was involved in a brawl at Boom Nightclub and then punched a staff member at the Airlie Beach venue, she fronted up to court to learn her fate.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Emma Myors told Proserpine Magistrates Court a brawl broke out at Boom in October 2016 and McEnroe claimed a woman had hit a friend she was with.

The court heard about five people were involved in the altercation and when a staff member called security for back-up, McEnroe turned and punched them before security arrived.

Sgt Myors said McEnroe smelt of alcohol and she had bloodshot eyes, so she was arrested.

When McEnroe was supposed to appear in court in November of that year, she didn't show up.

 

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But four years later, McEnroe stood in the dock at Proserpine Magistrates Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to public nuisance and failing to appear in court.

Lawyer Elizabeth Smith said McEnroe did not know the charge was still outstanding until she had to complete a police check as part of applying for permanent residency in Australia.

The court heard McEnroe phoned Proserpine police and travelled up from her new home in Sydney to hand herself yesterday morning.

Ms Smith said McEnroe was embarrassed about not attending court but when she discovered the charge was outstanding she had a newborn, who was now one, so it had been unfeasible to deal with the matter.

She said the 31-year-old mum could barely remember the incident because it occurred on a drunken night out while she was travelling the country.

"She basically woke up in the watch-house with very little idea about what was going on," Ms Smith said.

"It's an out of character act, she's incredibly embarrassed and she wishes to convey her sincerest apologies to the court."

Ms Smith said McEnroe had now settled in Sydney with her partner and son.

Magistrate James Morton swiftly dealt McEnroe a $500 fine and opted not to record a conviction.

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