‘Disgusting’ woman fronts court over serial spitting rampage
No one within spitting distance was safe: An angry druggie gobbed on anyone and everyone if she didn’t get her own way.
South East
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An “absolutely disgusting” drugged-up serial spitter said she was COVID-19 positive when she gobbed on cops, security guards, her ex-partner and even bank staff, a court has heard.
Erin Costello also wrecked EFTPOS machines, told her former boyfriend she would kill him and punched a medical clinic receptionist in a series of pandemic-period attacks.
Despite being continually arrested, bailed and serving time on remand, she persisted with her spitting spree until she was finally locked up in October.
The homeless 27-year-old pleaded guilty to 15 unlawful assault, criminal damage and bail breach charges at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
The court heard Costello has a habit of spitting on people when she didn’t get her own way.
In January she went to Frankston Hospital believing she had a broken nose, but when nurses told her it wasn’t busted and she needed to leave, she lost the plot.
Police were called and she then spat on an officer before she was arrested.
The same month she also punched a receptionist at a Frankston medical clinic who had told her to leave because she was highly drug-affected.
In May she spat on a Kmart security guard at Cranbourne Park shopping centre, and in July she gobbed on a bank manager and destroyed five EFTPOS machines because she couldn’t access her money.
In September Costello went to her ex’s home and said she was “going to kill him” before spitting on his chest while yelling she was positive for COVID.
She was arrested and remanded for 19 days before being granted bail.
But she was not deterred, and a few weeks later she was arrested again she refused to wear a mask.
Even in the cells she continued her insolent ways, smashing up a phone lent to her by police to call her solicitors.
In court her defence lawyer said Costello had mental health and personality issues that were exasperated by the recent death of her five-year-old child.
She said her partner relationship had broken down, she became homeless and she lost her ability to live a functional, healthy life.
She submitted a time-served penalty followed by a community corrections order was appropriate.
Magistrate Fiona Stewart said Costello’s conduct — spitting on, punching and threatening people — was “really shocking”.
“She is behaving in the worst possible manner; the rest of the community shouldn’t have to put up with it,” Ms Stewart said.
“Despite the absolutely disgusting behaviour there are significant issues behind that that have to be addressed.
“A corrections order will provide an opportunity for her to turn her life around.”
Ms Stewart said she would sentence Costello to the 91 days she has already served and, if found suitable, release her on a 12-month therapeutic order.
