Tiffany Creece: Whittlesea police assaulted, threatened with knife
A Whittlesea woman thrust a 30cm knife at police, grabbed an officer’s gun, and allegedly assaulted officers and damaged a police station all within four days. Here’s how she was able to keep threatening police.
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A Whittlesea woman who thrust a 30cm knife at police and grabbed an officer’s gun has also been accused of assaulting two officers during a fourth incident in four days.
Tiffany Creece was freed from custody the day after she threatened police with a knife, then allegedly went on to assault two police and damage Whittlesea police station the next day.
The 27-year-old had four violent dealings with police from the afternoon of August 17 to August 20, Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court heard when she applied for bail on Tuesday, August 25.
The court heard Creece grabbed an officer’s gun on August 17, evoking “extreme fear” in the officer, after she had already tried to assault them.
Police had gone to her home about 1.30pm to help paramedics manage her mental health needs.
They had to grab her to stop her swallowing a handful of prescription medication while she swung her elbows and kicked her legs to try to strike the officers.
They handcuffed her and were securing her on a stretcher when she grabbed an officer’s gun, trying to pull it from the holster.
The officer wrestled her hand off the firearm and she was taken to hospital.
Police were again called to assist paramedics assessing her about 7pm, when she swore at them and threatened to kick one before running towards them.
She was capsicum-sprayed and taken back to hospital.
Police then had to draw a gun when Creece threatened them with a knife the next morning when they went to arrest her for assaulting police the day before.
When she finally opened the door she asked if she could feed her dog before leaving.
The court heard Creece then grabbed a 30cm knife from the kitchen and thrust it towards the officers.
One officer raised their gun, while the other used capsicum spray, causing her to drop her knife.
Creece pleaded guilty to charges over the two incidents before Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on August 19.
Having spent one night in custody, she was convicted of the charges and released on a good behaviour bond, with the matters adjourned until February.
The court heard an intoxicated Creece went to Whittlesea police station about 4.30pm the next day.
She allegedly kicked the closed door, leaving it needing to be replaced, and was aggressive when police approached her.
The court heard she was abusive while being placed in a police van, threatening police who were trying to calm her.
Creece then allegedly repeatedly kicked an officer in the leg and arm — leaving bruising — and kicked another in the knee.
The court heard she laughed about the red marks left on the officer’s arm back at the police station.
The court heard Creece had long been engaged with Northern Mental Health, and had had frequent dealings with Ambulance Victoria and police over the years.
The court heard she was also an alcoholic who regularly consumed methylated spirits.
Police submitted that mental health staff had advised while there were multiple issues contributing to Creece’s behaviour, she was ultimately choosing to behave as she did.
Lawyer James Loftas said Creece risked spending longer on remand than she could be sentenced to due to the delays in the courts, with custody being more onerous for her due to her mental health.
He said her dog was like her child, and had gone to a pound, despite police usually making arrangements for it when she went into custody.
Magistrate Jennifer Tregent said Creece had “received an extremely generous outcome” with the bond on August 19, which she had allegedly breached with very serious offending, refusing bail.
Ms Tregent said Creece was an unacceptable risk of endangering the public and herself, with her behaviour “very likely” to put her in danger if police felt significantly threatened again.
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