Kelli Esposito pleads not guilty to affray after Dubbo brawl

The issue of self defence will be raised in the case of a woman who drove her car at a group of people in Dubbo before a brawl erupted and footage of it went viral on Facebook, a court has heard.

The issue of self defence will be raised in the case of a 49-year-old Orange woman who drove her car at a group of people in Dubbo before a brawl erupted and footage of it went viral on Facebook, a court has heard.

Police charged Kelli Esposito with dangerous driving and affray after up to 20 people became involved in the brawl on Alcheringa Street earlier this year.

Kelli Esposito leaves Dubbo Local Court in June. Picture: Ryan Young

In Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday, defence lawyer Anne Hazleton said Ms Esposito would plead guilty to the dangerous driving charge and not guilty to the affray charge.

When Magistrate Gary Wilson asked if Ms Hazleton had seen footage of the brawl, which was filmed and posted to Facebook, she said she had not.

After police gave Ms Hazleton an opportunity to view the footage, which Magistrate Wilson said “the whole of Dubbo’s seen”, she said the plea of not guilty remained.

“I had the benefit of looking at the footage,” Ms Hazleton said.

“The plea of not guilty in respect to the affray remains.

“It’s really a self defence issue in respect to the affray.”

A difference of opinion between police and Ms Esposito, over wording in a statement of facts, was also flagged with the court.

Ms Hazleton told the court Ms Esposito disagreed with some of the descriptions used to describe her behaviour in the statement, namely references to driving “at a high speed” and “harshly”.

According to police, Ms Esposito drove a Green Honda CRV at the group of people about 7pm on February 16.

It has been alleged the group of people had confronted Ms Esposito and were armed with cricket bats, golf clubs and rocks before she drove at them.

After Ms Esposito drove at the group, she is alleged to have exited the Honda and become involved in a fight with another woman.

The case is due to return to court in December.