Cassandra Lee Dee Waldon-Bowman, 23, assaulted woman on a bus, stole cars

A young Rockhampton mum following in the footsteps of her own criminal mother was smoking 30 cones a day prior to incarceration for stealing three cars and assaulting a person on a bus.

A young mum following in the footsteps of her own criminal mother was “smoking 30 cones a day” before being incarcerated for stealing three cars and assaulting a person on a bus.

Cassandra Lee Dee Waldon-Bowman, 23, pleaded guilty on October 25 in Rockhampton Magistrates Court to 28 charges including three counts unlawful use of a motor vehicle, one assault occasioning bodily harm while in company, distributing an intimate image, drug driving, obstruct police, stealing, receiving tainted property, causing a disturbance at a Queensland Rail site, possessing dangerous drugs, breaching bail and stealing registration plates.

The offences took place in Rockhampton, Southport, Gracemere and at the Gold Coast between October 14, 2019 and September 2, 2021.

She also spat on a police officer during an incident.

Police prosecutor Stacey Bain said Waldon-Bowman was on a bus with others at Southport on July 10, 2020, when she went up to the victim and punched her in the face then harassed the victim, which was captured on CCTV.

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale said Waldon-Bowman had initially been refused entry to the bus over lack of funds and the victim had shaken her head at the behaviour she was witnessing, causing Waldon-Bowman’s group to target her.

She said Waldon-Bowman approached the victim, argued with her and punched her face.

Ms Beckinsale said the defendant approached the victim a second time with the victim standing up and lunging back in self defence.

The victim had her hair pulled and was pushed around by Waldon-Bowman’s group.

The defendant picked up the victim’s wallet and left the victim in pain and discomfort.

Defence lawyer Ken Spinaze said his client was a single mum of three – a five-year-old and three-year-old twins.

He said she was born in Townsville and led a transient life growing up with her mother jailed when she was nine years old.

Mr Spinaze said his client had been in a relationship for eight years with the father of her children and ended that relationship when she moved to Rockhampton.

He said she aimed to get her life on track and attempted to overcome her drug addiction which had her “smoking 30 cones a day” prior to her incarceration.

Waldon-Bowman had spent 53 days in presentence custody.

Ms Beckinsale said Waldon-Bowman was still a young woman and had become a mother at a young age.

She said the defendant was repeating for her children what happened to her.

“Drug addiction is a terrible thing,” Ms Beckinsale said.

“Every time you choose to use a drug, you are putting that on top of your children’s welfare.”

Waldon-Bowman was sentenced to four months prison, wholly suspended and operational for 18 months.

She was also placed on an 18-month probation order, fined $971 and disqualified from driving for six months.

Originally published as Cassandra Lee Dee Waldon-Bowman, 23, assaulted woman on a bus, stole cars