NT LJ Hooker Home Loans franchisee Melissa Prentos guilty of Mindil Beach Casino bouncer, police assault

A well-known Darwin accountant barricaded herself in a casino toilet, scratching and kicking a bouncer as he asked her to leave. Watch the video.

A blitzed Darwin businesswoman who barricaded herself in a casino toilet cubicle has pleaded guilty to assaulting a security guard and police.

Melissa Anne Prentos appeared in Darwin Local Court last Thursday to plead guilty to a series of assaults on workers during a boozy night out at the Mindil Beach Casino.

The 44-year-old LJ Hooker Home Loans franchisee and accountant started drinking at 1pm while out with loved ones on Saturday, February 24, the court heard.

But her lawyer Peter Maley said after hours of drinking the night took a “harrowing” turn when “the bad decision was made to go to the casino”.

“This night of drinking started off with a fun time with friends and her fiancee ended in a complete disaster,” Mr Maley said.

“She spent her first time in custody, in the lock up, that was a harrowing experience.”

Mr Maley said she had only a “piecemeal” recollection of the evening, but bouncers and police have a clear recollection of her drunken outburst in the casino.

LJ Hooker Home Loans accountant Melissa Prentos. In March the 44-year-old business woman pleaded guilty to multiple assaults on police and security guards at Mindil Beach Casino. Picture: Facebook

The court heard an intoxicated Prentos was initially denied entry – but after pleading with the bouncer to use the bathroom, she was allowed inside.

“For his pity, he is assaulted by Ms Prentos,” Judge Stephen Geary said.

The 44-year-old business woman refused to leave the toilet, barricading herself in and started kicking and screaming as the security worker tried to remove her.

Mr Maley said Prentos had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder relating to an incident as an 11-year-old child, meaning she reacted violently to the stranger “manhandling” her.

“She said that being physically grabbed, being restrained, she went into panic, into a fright,” Mr Maley said.

“She completely freaked out … and all these terrifying thoughts of what happened as a child … and she behaved in a way she did.”

Mr Maley said the bouncers were not expected to know about her “fragile mental state”.

LJ Hooker Home Loans accountant Melissa Prentos pleaded guilty to multiple assaults on police and security guards at Mindil Beach Casino. Picture: Linked In

The court heard she kicked the guard’s knee and left him with a scratch from her engagement ring,

After being marched out of the casino, Prentos went to a nearby cop to complain about her treatment.

But Mr Maley acknowledged Prentos had a “refusal to even be remotely cooperative” and did not give her name or address to the cop and behaved in a disorderly manner.

He said while Prentos was arrested she was “kicking” and “swore” at the officer.

“She put on a performance and kicked the back of the paddy wagon,” Mr Maley said.

Prentos said she was left with several bruises and scratches to her body, and initially accused bouncers and police of using excessive force.

LJ Hooker Home Loans accountant Melissa Prentos leaves Darwin Local Court shielded by supporters after the 44-year-old pleaded guilty to multiple assaults on police and security guards at Mindil Beach Casino. Picture: Zizi Averill

However in a letter to police with her apologies she made no mention of these allegations, leading Mr Geary to dismiss this argument.

“There’s no evidence of excessive force,” he said.

Prentos pleaded guilty to assaulting a worker, failing to leave a licenced premises, disorderly behaviour, contravene ID requirements, resist and assault police and disorderly behaviour in a police station.

Mr Maley described Prentos as a “well respected accountant”, and an LJ Hooker Home Loans franchisee supported by her fiance in court.

He said a criminal conviction could compromise her franchise agreement with the national real estate groups.

On Thursday March 14, Mr Geary slapped Prentos with five fines and three victims totalling $3200, but recorded a non-conviction.

“If you behave in this manner again, a conviction is the least of your problems. You’ll most likely go to jail,” Mr Geary warned.