Monique Delly Tierney sentenced for bizarre trespass and police obstruction

A young woman who broke into a neighbouring house and then raised her fist at an officer when police arrested her told her lawyer she had “escaped” an incident where she was tied to a chair, a court heard.

A young woman who broke into a neighbouring house and then raised her fist at an officer when police arrested her told her lawyer she had “escaped” an incident where she was tied to a chair, a court heard.

A young woman who broke into a neighbouring house and then raised her fist at an officer when police arrested her told her lawyer she had “escaped” an incident where she was tied to a chair, a court heard.

Police found Monique Delly Tierney in a Mackay house on August 14 with a broken flyscreen, where she resisted arrest for a “bizarre” reason.

Defence lawyer Laura Santin said the 18-year-old woman told her she asked police officers to not cuff her hands behind her back and resisted arrest when they tried to do so.

“(Tierney said) she had gone through a traumatic event where she was tied to a chair for numerous hours,” Ms Santin said.

“Her mental state at that time had declined and she became frustrated and tried to free her arms

“(She) raised her fist at the officer (but) she did not make connection with the officer.

“She is deeply remorseful for her actions and wishes to offer an apology to the officers who may have believed they were in harm’s way.”

The court heard Tierney was diagnosed with ADHD, depression, and anxiety, with plans to see a specialist mental health doctor in the coming weeks.

Ms Santin said Tierney also offered to pay restitution for the broken flyscreen.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Linden Pollard said Tierney was on probation at the time of the offence and Magistrate Bronwyn Hartigan agreed that, rather than resisting arrest, was the most serious charge.

Tierney plead guilty to a breach of parole, trespass, wilful damage, assault police, and two counts of obstructing police.

Ms Hartigan said it was “just bizarre” offending explained only by her potential methamphetamine use at the time.

“You’ve got some issues that are properly being dealt with by professionals,” Ms Hartigan said.

“You don’t want to find yourself in prison because you’re a very young person.

“But it could happen (especially) if you fall back into drug use and hang out with your old associates”.

The court heard the probation officer’s report concluded she was “essentially ... worth another go”.

Tierney was fined $500 and sentenced to probation for 18 months.

Convictions were recorded.