Tarlee Danica Peric: Wodonga woman punches taxi driver in Lavington

A court has heard details of a booze-filled Wodonga woman’s vicious attack on a taxi driver and his vehicle.

A driver for Albury Taxis has been punched in the face by a drunk Wodonga woman.

A Wodonga woman has escaped conviction after punching a taxi driver in the face during an alcohol-fuelled rage.
Tarlee Danica Peric faced Albury Local Court this week and pleaded guilty to common assault and possessing a prohibited drug.

The court heard at about 2.30am on November 28, 2020, the victim who worked for Albury Taxis, pulled up at a Parkland Crescent, Lavington address to pick up Peric and her sister.
Peric’s sister informed the driver that her sibling was not ready yet.

Twenty-five minutes later the pair emerged from the house and Peric’s sister got into the car.

The driver realised the sisters were travelling to Wodonga and asked them to pay in advance. When Peric’s sister began to cry the driver said: “If you don’t give me payment you have to get out of the car.”
As the victim was driving away he heard something hit the back of his car and turned to see Peric standing at the passenger door.

The 22-year-old began yelling at the driver and opened the passenger door. The driver told her he would call the police.
Peric closed the door and the driver pulled over on the side of the road and waited for police to arrive.

Peric began knocking on the window which the driver ignored until she began banging on the roof with her fists and hitting the back right passenger window.

The court was told when the victim rolled down his window fearing Peric would damage his vehicle, Peric punched the victim in the head, hitting his right temple.

The victim then drove off, fearing another punch.

When police arrived, the court heard they could barely understand her because of slurred speech and hysterical behaviour.

Police stated the accused appeared heavily intoxicated.

When the accused grabbed her bag it revealed a plastic bag containing 9.22g of cannabis leaf which she tried to conceal from police.

Magistrate Miranda Moody was shocked at Peric’s behaviour.

“What a way to behave, that poor taxi driver,” Ms Moody said.

“It’s absolutely appalling and you did it because you were blind drunk.”

Peric’s defence solicitor Samantha Little said Peric had no criminal history, despite her family’s extensive criminal record, with her father currently serving time in custody.

“She had consumed about 15 Jim Beam cans and has limited memory of the event,” Ms Little said.

“She is deeply remorseful.”

Ms Moody took Peric’s young age and lack of criminal history into consideration.

“This is your one chance at leniency,” she said.

Peric was sentenced to 12 months good behaviour with no conviction recorded.