Alahni Dries pleads guilty in Port Macquarie court to nightclub assault

It took four security guards to tear a young disability support worker off another woman at a Mid-North Coast nightclub after she grabbed her by the hair.

According to court documents Dries and her victim had been involved in a verbal altercation at The Port Macquarie Hotel on Horton Street before moving to the Level Up nightclub. Picture: Janine Watson

It took four security guards at the Level Up nightclub in Port Macquarie to tear a young disability support worker off another woman after she grabbed her by the hair.

Alahni Dries had originally pleaded not guilty to the assault but later entered a guilty plea after she saw the security footage from the night, her lawyer told Port Macquarie Local Court on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old works long hours as an NDIS support worker and also cares for a number of family members, the court heard.

According to court documents, the assault took place between 10pm on January 26 and 12.10am on January 27 at the club on William St.

Magistrate Georgina Darcy said she often dealt with cases of assault in that particular club.

Alahni Dries.

She told the court that Dries grabbed another woman by the hair with “considerable force, pulling her down”.

Documents went on to state four security guards had to be called to release Dries' grip.

Dries and her victim had been involved in a verbal exchange at a nearby hotel prior to the assault.

It started when Dries mocked the victim’s appearance and asked “do you want to have a go?”.

The pair were going to speak with a security guard when the assault took place.

Dries’ lawyer said she was a young woman with no criminal history and considerable work and personal responsibilities, asking that no conviction be recorded.

Port Macquarie Courthouse. Picture: Janine Watson.

Ms Darcy said it appeared that “anybody can get a job with the NDIS with a criminal record or not” but told Dries that a record could hamper work prospects with other organisations or her ability to travel overseas.

Ultimately no conviction was recorded and she was given a 14-month community release order.

The 22-year-old also pleaded guilty to driving with cannabis in her system on April 1 along Ocean Drive at Lake Cathie just after 9am.

Her lawyer told the court Dries was using cannabis oil for medicinal purposes but magistrate Darcy said there was no evidence before her to support the claim.

No conviction was recorded for driving with an illicit substance in her system but she was given a 12-month community release order and fined $644.

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Originally published as Alahni Dries pleads guilty in Port Macquarie court to nightclub assault