Kingston resident, Monique Tania Bray-Verdich, in court for CBD church spiderwoman act

A drunk woman risked life while scaling a CBD church and climbing a 7m fence to access private property because “she liked the sounds of the acoustics when she sang”.

Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Fortitude Valley. Picture: Churches Australia.

A Brisbane woman has faced court after a spiderwoman act during which she scaled a CBD church and climbed a 7m-high fence to get into a private property because she liked the acoustics when she sang.

Kingston woman Monique Tania Bray-Verdich, 40, pleaded guilty in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Wednesday, October 26, to one count of trespassing, one count of participating in unregulated high risk activities, failing to take reasonable care with a syringe and failing to appear in court.

The court heard Bray-Verdich was seen trespassing at a Fortitude Valley church on June 6, scaling the building.

“She was seen standing on the second story balcony of the Trinity church,” the police prosecutor said.

“She was unresponsive and appeared to be leaning on the wall talking to herself.”

The court heard Bray-Verdich was extremely drunk and firefighters were called to the scene.

“They used an elevated work platform so they could access the second story floor to get her down,” the police prosecutor said.

“They were forced to set up traffic control to redirect traffic from the roadway.”

Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Fortitude Valley. Picture: Churches Australia.

Police also found a syringe in her back pocket, the court heard.

A day later, Bray-Verdich was seen climbing over a rail structure on the corner of Constance and Alfred streets in Fortitude Valley.

“A security guard advised her that she was trespassing,” the police prosecutor said.

“She climbed into the yard as she said she liked the acoustics when she was singing.”

The ex-ski shoe fitter and hospitality worker had spent 61 days in pre-sentence custody.

“The defendant has some mental health issues,” the police prosecutor said.

“She needs some form of supervision.”

Bray-Verdich’s lawyer, Tayler Bowdren, said her client suffered from mental health issues and drug addiction.

“She was the victim of domestic violence and at the time turned to illicit substances,” Ms Bowdren said.

“She suffered periods of homelessness.

“She makes no excuses for the offending before the court today.”

Magistrate John Costanzo said Bray-Verdich needed to address her mental health issues.

“If you don’t address them you run the risk of committing further offences,” Mr Costanzo said.

“At 40 years of age you're old enough to learn and to do better.

“Don’t leave it until it is too late.”

She was given 12 months‘ probation.

Convictions were recorded.