Toowoomba woman faces magistrates court for common assault, stealing

A fight between a woman and her late mother’s best friend saw the 32-year-old face court for threatening to burn the victim’s house down.

An argument between a woman and her late mother’s best friend escalated to violence and threats of arson, a court has been told.

The 32-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, faced Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Thursday where she pleaded guilty to contravening a domestic violence order, common assault, stealing and failure to properly dispose of a needle and syringe.

The court was told the woman was living with the victim, in breach of the domestic violence order, when about 8pm on April 9 the pair got into a verbal argument which became physical.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Leea Trewin said the woman pushed the victim around the house, before taking her phone out of her pocket and pushing her to the ground.

The woman then told the victim, “I’m going to burn the house down and take someone with me to make it worthwhile”, the court was told.

Senior Constable Trewin said the woman then left the property, and the victim called police.

About 2.15am on June 8, the woman was found by police and arrested, and a search of her property found a used syringe.

The woman’s solicitor Claire Graham said her client’s mother had died five years ago, and since then the victim, who was a close friend of the woman’s mother, became a maternal figure. Ms Graham said while the pair had a close relationship it was also strained by drug use by both parties.

The court was told the woman was under the influence of methylamphetamine at the time of the incident.

Ms Graham said her client had since moved out of the victim’s home and was working to stay away and cut contact with her.

Magistrate Geoffrey Seaholme told the woman the relationship she had with the victim was “toxic” and that she didn’t need it in her life.

The woman was sentenced to a 12 month jail term, with an immediate release on parole. She was also fined $400, with convictions recorded.

Originally published as Toowoomba woman faces magistrates court for common assault, stealing