Byron Bay’s Laura Hodge, 29, has convictions quashed after pleading guilty to assaulting police officer at CBD club Lovers Lane

A Byron Bay woman who pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer after refusing to leave a popular CBD nightclub has now had all convictions quashed. Here’s why.

Lovers Lane nightclub in Byron Bay.

A Byron Bay woman who pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer after refusing to leave a well-known nightclub has successfully fought to have all convictions quashed.

Laura Hodge, 29, previously pleaded guilty at Byron Bay Local Court to failing to leave a premises, hindering a police officer and assaulting a police officer.

The court was told Hodge and a friend were ordered to leave Lovers Lane club on Lawson St by security and police due to intoxication about 2am on May 13.

Byron Bay Police Station.

Police stated in court documents Hodge kicked up a stink and refused to leave, declaring “she was standing her ground”.

The court was told police held Hodge by the arms and led her out of the venue while she threatened to sue and screamed that officers could not touch her.

Police asked Hodge to stay back while her friend was arrested, but said she did not listen.

The court heard Hodge pinched an officer and hit him twice on the shoulder before she was arrested and taken to the Byron Bay Police Station.

In July, Hodge was convicted and hit with a $1500 fine.

Lismore Court House. Picture: Cath Piltz

Magistrate Karen Stafford said at the time violent behaviour around licensed venues needed to be stamped out.

However, Hodge lodged an appeal before Judge Jonathan Priestley at Lismore District Court on Wednesday.

Charges and convictions were quashed under the Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020.

Judge Priestley said Hodge endured traumatic events in her life and struggled with alcohol and mental health issues.

He said her actions were “a bit of a blight on the community”.

“She was drunk and asked to leave, she didn’t and carried on,” Judge Priestley said.

The court was told Hodge assaulted police after refusing to leave a Byron club.

“The more alcohol you have the less common sense you have.”

Defence lawyer Jonathan Balchin De Vere Tyndall told the court Hodge did not have a criminal history and was working to address alcohol issues.

“ … she’s back on the wagon,” he said.

Judge Priestley upheld the appeal, set aside convictions and dismissed all charges, pointing to mental health issues.