Sara-Jane Elizabeth Fisher, 31, pleads guilty on birthday to common assault at child’s graduation

A court date was likely not expected as a birthday present for one Downs woman after a child’s graduation turned into familial brawl.

Drama between family members escalated into a brawl when tensions flared at a child’s graduation ceremony last year.

A woman has been warned to “stay out of trouble” after family drama turned to a brawl at a child’s graduation ceremony.

Warwick Magistrates Court heard Fisher, 31, attended a family member’s graduation ceremony at Chinchilla on December 5, 2023, alongside several other family members.

The court heard an argument broke out between two people at the town’s cultural centre.

Fisher then intervened, and during the scuffle one of the people involved was pushed to the ground.

Sergeant de Lissa said the woman had no criminal history, and said Fisher told police the argument had just “gotten out of hand.”

Defence lawyer Hamish Chapman said Fisher was celebrating her niece’s graduation.

“They were attending the graduation and my client’s job was to keep the family calm and sort of ease trouble among the family,” Mr Chapman said.

“However, a scrap has broken out by two parties and she’s ended up with this charge, and she has accepted what she did was wrong.”

Mr Chapman said the carer of two children was appearing in court on her birthday and was “remorseful”.

“This won’t happen again in the future,” he said.

Fisher pleaded guilty to one charge of common assault on Monday.

Magistrate Janice Crawford said it was “fortunate” the victim did not suffer any injuries.

“There was an argument and physical altercation between the two women before you intervened, I take into account the fact you have no criminal history when sentencing you,” magistrate Crawford said.

“Stay out of trouble.”

Fisher was released on a $350 good behaviour bond for three months.

No convictions were recorded.