Disability support worker Loraine Louise Connor threatened to slit patron’s throat at Australian Hotel Ballina, court

A disability support worker threatened to slit a patron’s throat at a popular Northern Rivers pub after she was previously caught driving with cocaine, meth and cannabis in her system.

Disability support worker Loraine Louise Connor pleaded guilty to intimidation.

A disability support worker threatened to slit a patron’s throat at the Australian Hotel Ballina after she was previously caught driving with cocaine, meth and cannabis in her system.

Loraine Louise Connor faced Ballina Local Court last Thursday, where she pleaded guilty to intimidation.

Documents tendered to court state the 42-year-old attended the pub on River St with her adult daughter and a friend at about 10.30pm on July 6.

The offender’s daughter and friend began hurling insults at two other women resulting in the loud pair being kicked out of the venue, police facts continue.

Connor walked past one of the women in the pub and said: “You’re f--king dead” and made a throat-slitting gesture. The victim felt “extremely fearful” for her safety.

Loraine Louise Connor breached a conditional release order with this offending.

The offender and victim have known each other for years, police state.

Officers state Connor’s offending was in breach of a conditional release order which she attained after being busted driving through town with cocaine, meth and cannabis in her system in December last year.

The outside of the Australian Hotel, Ballina. Picture: File

In court, Connor’s defence lawyer Robert Manitta said the threat was “a spur of the moment decision”, she had learnt her lesson and community members spoke highly of her.

“It was stupid behaviour and she was trying to protect her daughter,” Mr Manitta said.

Ballina Court House. Picture: Savannah Pocock

Magistrate Karen Stafford said Connor was a disability support worker and the offending was a prime example of a parent unhelpfully becoming involved in her adult child’s affairs.

“There is a need for the court to stop parents from getting into their kids’ business,” Ms Stafford said.

“The victim was a young woman and took the threat seriously.”

While Ms Stafford accepted Connor was remorseful and “ashamed”, she acknowledged the offender breached a previous court order.

Connor was fined $1000 and a conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Disability support worker Loraine Louise Connor threatened to slit patron’s throat at Australian Hotel Ballina, court