Mother-of-three lashes out, strikes police officer and ruins back seat of cab

A Redcliffe teacher has faced court over a disgraceful display outside a police station in which she hit an officer.

A qualified primary school teacher and mother-of-three snuck out of a taxi window as the driver tried to report her to police for her atrocious behaviour, a court has heard.

Redcliffe Magistrates Court on Wednesday heard that Sylvia Meredith Lindley had drunk excessively after an argument with her partner on August 23 before causing chaos in the taxi and later assaulting police.

The Woody Point woman pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer, committing public nuisance, fare evasion and wilful damage.

The court heard a Black & White Cabs driver arrived at Redcliffe Police Station and said Lindley refused to pay the fare and she had spilt alcohol all over the back seat.

Police prosecutor Sheree Wild said while the cab driver walked into the police station to file the report, police walked outside and saw Lindley had left and was walking down the street.

Sylvia Meredith Lindley leaving the Redcliffe Magistrate Court after appearing for assaulting a police officer and spilling alcohol in a cab, which she refused to pay the fare for.

“The front seat passenger who shared the cab with Lindley, said she had climbed through the window while parked outside the police station,” Ms Wild said.

“Police intercepted Lindley 100 metres away from where the cab was parked, where Lindley was belligerent towards police.

“As police walked Lindley to the station she lashed out with an open hand, striking an officer in the shoulder.

“Lindley was placed against the wall and handcuffed.

“While being arrested for not paying the cab fare, Lindley continued to scream offensive language towards police and in front of members of the public, both on the footpath of Redcliffe Parade and front counter of the police station.”

Lindley’s defence lawyer J.M Freeman said the 52-year-old mother of three currently worked as a Lions Club volunteer and was a qualified primary school teacher, who had not worked in that role for 10 years.

“This is a 52-year-old woman who comes before the court with three irrelevant entries, the most recent possess dangerous drugs which I’m told was for a small quantity of cannabis,” Mr Freeman said.

“She has not been in the justice system since 2001 prior to that, with two minor charges.

“She is incredibly sorry for her behaviour, she comes before the court incredibly ashamed of her behaviour that day.”

Magistrate Ross Woodford fined Lindley a total of $1,400 and ordered her to pay $250 restitution for damage to the cab’s back seat and the fare.