Josette Briffa faced Redcliffe Magistrates Court for roadside assault
A stressful trip from Officeworks ended with a woman, with no criminal history, committing a ‘disgusting’ roadside assault.
Moreton
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A court north of Brisbane has heard how a Redcliffe woman simply snapped, followed and assaulted another woman, after she merged in front of her on the road.
Josette Molly Briffa, 55, faced Redcliffe Magistrates Court on April 12, charged with common assault.
The court heard that at 12.45pm, March 16, 2023 in Margate, a female driver merged her car in front of Briffa’s which agitated her.
The court heard Briffa then followed the victim in her car, before they both pulled up at Margate.
Police prosecutor Sgt Bambrick said Briffa and the victim exited their cars, before Briffa approached the victim, who began recording the confrontation on her phone.
“Briffa argued with the victim about overtaking her while the victim remained calm during the confrontation and denied she pushed in front of Briffa on the road,” Sgt Bambrick said.
“Briffa then called the victim a ‘low-lying reptilian scum’.
“Briffa was standing a metre away from the victim before she stepped forward and spat at her, landing on her right shoulder.
“The victim yelled at Briffa that she just spat at her and Briffa replied, ‘yeah I did’.”
The court heard Briffa continued arguing with the victim, admitted she followed her, before calling the victim “an absolute blimp”, before walking back to her car.
The entire altercation was captured on video which was given to police.
Self-represented, Briffa said she was on her way back to work after picking up a printer at Officeworks.
“I realise I had a lot of anger,” Briffa said.
Magistrate Patrick Murphy noted Briffa had no criminal history but her actions were terrible and didn’t reflect her usual self.
“You spat at a member of the public,” Mr Murphy said.
“Disgusting behaviour and it’s very silly behaviour to follow another motorist, who you have grievances with.
“That places you and the other person at risk.”
Mr Murphy fined Briffa, who pleaded guilty, $500.
No conviction was recorded.
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