Lauren Freshwater: woman denied bail after allegedly threatening to kill woman, herself

Lauren Freshwater allegedly used a Lynx bottle as a flamethrower against a woman before threatening to kill her, a court has heard.

A woman who allegedly used a makeshift flamethrower to terrify another woman has been denied bail at the ACT Magistrates Court.

Lauren Freshwater is charged with common assault, intentionally threatening to kill someone and two counts of using an inflammable substance.

The prosecutor told the court Ms Freshwater punched a woman in the face, used a Lynx deodorant bottle as a flamethrower against the woman and threatened to kill the woman and herself.

While the prosecution alleged the complainant was Ms Freshwater’s girlfriend, defence lawyer Edward Chen told the court his client said she was not in a relationship with the woman.

Mr Chen told the court his client lived in the Jervis Bay area with her father and holds a full time job working as a cleaner.

A woman who used a Lynx bottle as a flame thrower has been denied bail at the ACT Magistrates Court.

The lawyer also told the court his client had two children aged 12 and 10 who visit her every second week.

Mr Chen proposed bail conditions for Ms Freshwater to return to NSW to be away from the complainant, for her to report to police and to address alcohol abuse.

However the prosecution fiercely opposed bail stating contact with police would escalate the situation rather than deter Ms Freshwater from further offending.

“Ms Freshwater was undeterred by screams of her girlfriend and friend, undeterred by law enforcement,” the prosecutor said.

In arguing that bail conditions would not curb Ms Freshwater’s offending the prosecutor said “the defendant is undeterred by death”.

Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker described Ms Freshwater’s criminal history as “extensive” and included family violence related offences.

Ms Walker said the defendant’s actions had caused the complainant to live in fear and refused Ms Freshwater bail.

Despite the defence’s submission Freshwater and the victim were “only friends” Ms Walker decided to class the case under family violence.

Ms Freshwater will face court again on March 29.