Violent argument over child lands mother in Gladstone Magistrates Court facing a domestic violence charge

The Gladstone woman was heard saying to the victim, “You are not taking my child away from me.”

A woman faced Gladstone Magistrates Court on Tuesday after an argument with her partner about their daughter turned violent.

A drunken custody dispute which turned violent landed a Gladstone mother in court on Tuesday facing a domestic violence charge.

The woman, 24, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty in the Gladstone Magistrates Court to contravening a domestic violence order.

A court heard that on June 20, around 1pm, the defendant, her victim and a witness attended a friend’s house for drinks.

Later that evening, an argument broke out between the victim and the defendant over the latter not taking care of their daughter, 3, and not checking on her throughout the night.

Once the victim went and checked on the child, the defendant walked into the room and said, “You didn’t come and check on her when she was crying.”

Another argument followed in the hallway where the defendant was heard saying, “You are not taking my daughter away from me”.

The woman then attacked the victim by throwing punches. The victim tried to protect himself by raising his arms.

During the argument, the woman threw objects and police observed spilt drink marks on the walls once they arrived to investigate the incident.

Police also observed red marks on the victim’s forearm and after an investigation where both parties were thoroughly questioned, the defendant was arrested and transported to the Gladstone watch house.

The woman was convicted and sentenced to nine months parole with no conviction recorded.

Originally published as Violent argument over child lands mother in Gladstone Magistrates Court facing a domestic violence charge