Emma Rose Fairbanks in court for assault at Carlon’s Hotel, Sarina

When a bar attendant with no criminal history saw her ex walking down the street with his new family, she saw red.

A Sarina bar attendant found herself before a magistrate after she left her pub to bash an ex partner on the street, in front of his new family.

A Sarina bar attendant left her post at the pub to bash an ex-partner on the street, in front of his new family.

Mackay Magistrates Court heard Emma Rose Fairbanks, 20, was working at Carlon’s Hotel in Sarina on November 28, 2024 when she saw the man outside with his new partner and child.

She then grabbed a wooden bat and walked out onto the street, first arguing with him, then threatening him and finally, as he walked away, hitting him in the back of the head with the bat, the court heard.

He sustained a laceration to his head in the attack and Fairbanks was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm with a weapon.

The court heard there was a property settlement dispute between Fairbanks and the victim.

Police prosecutor sergeant Linden Pollard said there was no allegation Fairbanks was drunk or under the influence at the time of offending.

“She is a young offender, however it is a totally unprovoked reaction … no precursors to it, no allegations of any provocation,” Sergeant Pollard said.

The court heard she had no prior criminal history.

Fairbanks first began arguing with her ex in the street before threatening him and ultimately hitting him with a bat when he tried to leave.

Fairbanks was also charged with common assault from another incident on April 10, 2025 where she walked up to a woman in a hotel and began screaming at her to leave.

The court heard the victim asked if Fairbanks was the manager and Fairbanks then punched her in the head four times.

Fairbanks pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm while armed as well as common assault.

Her lawyer, Aaron Sellentin, said Fairbanks was diagnosed with BPD, anxiety, depression, PTSD and anorexia at the age of 14 and had seen a psychiatrist.

He offered no medical reports, but added she suffered from ADHD and was medicated at the time of the offending.

“She’s worked at Sarina Leagues Club and Carlon's Hotel as a bar attendant,” Mr Sellentin said.

“Since incarceration she’s worked, she’s been productive … she’s worked in the linens section.”

Magistrate Damien Dwyer said Fairbanks’ assault of her partner was gratuitous.

“Poor fellow was just walking along the footpath,” Mr Dwyer said, describing the act as “just odd behaviour”.

“You have very serious problems in respect to your mental health.”

Fairbanks was sentenced to 56 days’ jail with time declared served from April 25, 2025 and June 17, 2025.

Convictions were recorded and she was placed on supervision for a year.

Originally published as Emma Rose Fairbanks in court for assault at Carlon’s Hotel, Sarina