Teagan Allan common assault charges dismissed in Grafton court

Charges over an alleged jail cell assault in the women’s section of Clarence Correctional Centre have been dismissed after a court raised concerns over inconsistencies and evidence.

Charges against a woman who allegedly bashed a woman in a jail cell after she bad mouthed another cellmate’s family have been dismissed more than two years after the incident.

Grafton Local Court on Wednesday heard there were three cellmates in cell 13 of Clarence Correctional Centre at the time of the alleged offence at 6.15pm on September 23, 2019.

Teagan Maree Allan was alleged to have punched Katie Blackman three times to the face and slammed her face into the metal of the bed bunk.

She had pleaded not guilty to a charge of common assault.

The court heard a third inmate, Allison Eager, was alleged to have witnessed the assault and pressed a duress button but no complaint was made at the time.

Ms Eager’s inmate assault statement at the time to police and mentioned in court, said she heard the sound of a fist hitting skin and then heard the head of Ms Blackman on the steel of a bunk bed.

She claimed Ms Allan then stopped Ms Blackman’s access to the toilet and to the duress button.

Ms Eager’s statement also said after the incident Ms Blackman’s face was red and swollen and her right ear had blood in it.

Nurse Narelle Hickey however recorded nil injuries to both women.

Later a note which read “We need help in here please” was reportedly given to correctional staff, the court heard.

Police officers attended the Clarence Correctional Centre the next day.

The court heard body worn footage of police showed Ms Allan stating had she assaulted the complainant in the manner alleged she would have sustained significant injury.

The court also heard Ms Blackman had given evidence in the matter on November 4, 2020 and had been due to return on December 2, 2021 but did not attend.

Magistrate Kathy Crittenden assessed the evidence before her and noted that there were a number of inconsistencies, an opportunity for collusion and no justice health records of an injury.

“It appears implausible those who assessed her thereafter did not find any evidence of injury,” she said.

As she could not be satisfied there was evidence beyond a reasonable doubt, Ms Crittenden dismissed the common assault charge against Ms Allan.