Kellie Marie Riley in court for threatening tradies defending daughter

After hearing tradies had made sexual comments about her daughter, a Scarborough mother-of-four threatened to cut the tradies with a large knife at their worksite.

Kellie Marie Riley leaving the Redcliffe Magistrate Court on June 26, 2024.

A court north of Brisbane has heard how the owner of a bond cleaning business threatened to cut a tradie with a large knife after sexual comments were made about her daughter.

Kellie Marie Riley, 40, appeared in the Redcliffe Magistrate Court on June 26, 2024, charged with going armed so as to cause fear.

The court heard that at 3.30pm on May 14 at Scarborough, Riley’s daughter arrived home and told Riley the tradies down the road had made sexual comments about her.

Police prosecutor Mike Ball said Riley’s partner began walking down towards the worksite at the end of the road.

“The defendant became enraged and picked up a black knife, approximately 30cm long and walked down the road,” Mr Ball said.

“When the defendant arrived she was met by the victim and threatened the victim with a knife, waving the knife at the victim.

“The defendant threatened to stab and cut them.

“The defendant was then ushered away by her partner and walked down the road to her home address.”

Kellie Marie Riley leaving the Redcliffe Magistrate Court on June 26, 2024.

The court also heard Riley did attempt to plead guilty in writing but was ordered to appear in person.

Riley’s matter was stood down for some time in court after Magistrate Mark Bucknall recommended she have a duty lawyer appear on her behalf.

“I’m warning you, I am considering a sentence of imprisonment,” Mr Bucknall said.

Riley’s lawyer Tayla Jozefowski told the court Riley is a mother-of-four but solely cares for two of the children, a 9 and 15-year-old.

The court also heard Riley suffers from severe panic disorder and a heart condition which often lands her in hospital.

Ms Jozefowski told the court Riley has her own bond cleaning business of nine employees, which has been running for six years and has an estimated client base of 5000 customers.

“In terms of her co-operation, she went to the police station herself,” Ms Jozefowski said.

“She tells me while she was there, the victim was there and she apologised to the victim.

“She tells me she’s not a violent person and there is nothing in her history to point to the fact she is a violent person.

“When her daughter came home and told her these tradies were making sexual comments, she went into mum mode.

“She does acknowledge she wasn’t thinking at the time and was spur of the moment.

“Her mother passed away in 2018 from a heart attack.

“Her brother was also murdered in 2010.

“She tells me those two losses in her family changed her as a person and that in my submission, is reflected on her criminal history which started in 2018.”

Mr Bucknall sentenced Riley, who pleaded guilty, to six months imprisonment, wholly suspended for 12 months.

A conviction was recorded.

“She can’t pick up a knife and threaten to use it against someone,” Mr Bucknall said.

“It’s unforgivable offending.

“To go to this construction site armed with a knife, to brandish it and threaten to cut the person.”