Natalie Henriquez: ADF member guilty of police assault

A drunk Australian Defence Force member bowled into a stranger’s house and then shoved a cop after a night on the drink watching the footy turned into a strange series of events.

A drunk Australian Defence Force member bowled into a stranger’s house and then shoved a cop after a night of drinks watching the football turned into a ‘bizarre’ series of events.

Natalie Henriquez, 24, appeared before Wagga Local Court on Tuesday where she pleaded guilty to destroy or damage property, assaulting a police officer in the execution of duty, resisting arrest and failing to comply with Covid-19 regulations.

Court documents state on August 7, an off-duty police officer witnessed Henriquez exit a moving vehicle on Cootamundra Boulevard, Gobbagombalin, and run towards a residential home.

Natalie Henriquez leaving Wagga local court on November 30.

She began crying frantically and banged on the door yelling, “Help me, let me in” when the residents opened the door, Henriquez ran inside without being invited and the started yelling, “lock the door, don’t let him in.”

Court facts state Henriquez was clearly intoxicated, unsteady on her feet and her eyes were red and glassy.

The off-duty officer and the residents attempted to calm Henriquez down but she became aggressive and agitated, and police were called.

When officers arrived, Henriquez pushed the officer and struck the officer in the chest.

Court facts state police took hold of her wrists and told her she needed to calm down and that she was being escorted outside the premises.

She began to lash out towards police, and began thrashing and kicking officers while they were attempting to handcuff he.

Natalie Henriquez pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer in Wagga Local Court. Picture: Michael Frogley

Police inquires revealed Henriquez had just returned from visiting a friend’s house in Gobbagombalin where they spent roughly three hours drinking and watching the football, with her partner and friends, which was in breach of stay-at-home restrictions in place at the time.

Henriquez’s defence lawyer, Dave Barron, told the court his client said she “will not consume alcohol ever again.”
“Ms Henriquez realised the ramifications are loss of career, and emotional opportunities and that she has to pay for the damage she has caused and for her attitude towards the police,” Mr Barron said.

Magistrate Christopher Halburd told the court it was a “factually unusual and bizarre” matter.

“I understand there are ramifications of this sort of behaviour in the military, but what messages does it sent to military personnel, you can get drunk and do want you like,” Magistrate Halburd said.

“You cannot just then say that because I’m in the military and that the punishment will destroy my career after you got too drunk and forget what you did.

“I accept she consumed an abnormally large amount of alcohol and is remorseful and embarrassed, she has little to no recollection of the events.

“One has to be very careful not to fall into some logically fallacy, however kicking police officers is unacceptable but I do have regard to the ramifications of a conviction and disciplinary action of the military.”

Henriquez was convicted for each charge and fined $1000 for assaulting a police officer, $500 for resisting arrest and $500 for not complying with Covid-19 orders.

Henriquez is also required to pay $100 to the court for the damage caused to the door.