Megan Jean Freeman sentenced at Gladstone for string of offences

A woman fed up with continually being called a “baby killer” tried to fight her pregnant taunter at a Central Queensland shopping centre before turning her anger towards police.

Megan Jean Freeman was sentenced in Gladstone Magistrates Court for 18 offences. Generic image.

A Central Queensland woman who tried to fight her pregnant taunter at a shopping centre later bit a police officer while being arrested.

Megan Jean Freeman, 31, appeared in custody in Gladstone Magistrates Court where she pleaded guilty to 18 offences including going armed to cause fear, common assault, public nuisance, seriously assaulting police and possessing dangerous drugs.

The court heard that on June 25, Freeman was at the Gladstone Valley shopping centre when she saw a woman she knew - there was “bad blood” between them.

Police prosecutor Jennifer Leach said Freeman told the woman to “have a crack”.

The other woman replied: “Wait until I’m not pregnant, I’m not going to let you kill my baby like you did yours.”

Freeman again said “have a crack” and became more aggressive towards the other woman, Ms Leach said.

“(Freeman) has dropped her bag as if she was ready to fight,” the prosecutor said.

“(Freeman) has pulled what looked like a large spanner from her bag, and held it beside her in an intimidating manner which made (the other woman) fear for her safety.”

Ms Leach said police later received a report that Freeman was armed and threatening to stab someone at the same shopping centre complex.

They conducted patrols and found Freeman nearby on Tank Street.

Gladstone Courthouse.

Ms Leach said a police officer approached Freeman and told her she was under arrest.

Two officers then tried to place her in handcuffs.

Ms Leach said Freeman obstructed police and then bit a senior constable on the arm which caused immediate pain.

“(Freeman) kicked and screamed at police officers until she was eventually handcuffed.”

Ms Leach said during the arrest, clip-seal bags fell out of Freeman’s pocket - they contained about .1g of methamphetamine.

Police also found a small amount of cannabis in Freeman’s backpack.

The prosecutor said during police questioning, Freeman made admissions about the shopping centre incident and she said she had acted because the other woman kept calling her “a baby killer.”

“The (other woman) stated she did not provoke (Freeman) to become aggressive and intimidating towards her,” Ms Leach said.

The court heard Freeman had a 10-page criminal history and she committed these latest offences while on parole.

Solicitor Bianca Wieland addressed the “baby killer” claims.

“(The other woman) makes a point every time she sees (Freeman) to comment on the fact that she lost her baby in traumatic circumstances,” Ms Wieland said.

“And she continually reminds her again and again of that.”

Sitting in custody while Ms Wieland made these submissions, Freeman became visibly upset and started crying.

Ms Wieland said Freeman had struggled with meth and cannabis use, and she also suffered from schizophrenia and mental health issues.

Magistrate Mary Buchanan sentenced Freeman to 10 months’ jail, declared 51 days’ pre-sentence custody as time already served, and fixed immediate parole eligibility.

Convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Megan Jean Freeman sentenced at Gladstone for string of offences