Isabel Turner pleads guilty to public nuisance, drug driving at Warana

A Sunshine Coast hairdresser has taken the law into her own hands after following a man to a shopping centre car park and scratching him in the face and neck because she thought he fled a minor bingle.

Isabel Caitlin Turner faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday. Picture: Instagram

A Peregian Beach woman has escaped a conviction after she followed a man to a shopping centre car park and attacked him believing he fled the scene of a crash.

Isabel Caitlin Turner was told in Maroochydore Magistrates Court to call the police next time after her moment of public violence caused the victim to suffer from scratches to his face and body.

Police prosecutor Michael Quirk said the hairdresser was seen driving in a reckless manner by weaving in and out of traffic along Nicklin Way about 1.15pm on July 7 when she stopped abruptly in front of another car.

The court heard Turner exited her car and rushed up to the car and demanded the male driver get out.

The police prosecutor said the car drove off, which prompted the Peregian Beach woman to chase them in her own vehicle to a nearby shopping centre car park at Warana.

It was here the 22-year-old got out of her car and began to kick and punch the man’s vehicle, while she yelled for him to get out.

Mr Quirk said when the male driver got out of his vehicle, Turner attacked him by kicking, scratching and hitting him.

The victim grabbed her and struggled to try and stop Turner.

She continued to yell and scream and said her boyfriend would “track him down” and “stab him”.

There is no suggestion her boyfriend engaged in any wrongdoing.

Turner after her sentence. Picture: Sam Turner

The 22-year-old pleaded guilty to two charges. Picture: Instagram

The court heard the man suffered scratches and grazes to his head, neck, face and hands and was shaken when police arrived.

Nearby witnesses in the carpark told police they thought Turner was “out of control” and how the victim struggled to “calm” her down.

Mr Quirk said these witnesses were “fearful” to get out of their car while other people in the car park said 22-year-old was “going off”.

When police arrived, the hairdresser said she acted out of “pure anger” and admitted to kicking the man’s car. She was later drug tested and returned a positive result for cocaine and marijuana.

The court was told no assault complaint was made, however the 22-year-old was charged with public nuisance and drug driving with a provisional licence, which she pleaded guilty to on Monday.

Defence lawyer Patrick Meehan said he was instructed Turner believed there was a minor collision with the vehicle behind her, which is why she approached the victim.

Mr Meehan said she then followed him to the car park because he refused to give her his details and left, and believed she was entitled to them. He said she was remorseful.

Magistrate Rod Madsen said it was “public violence”, and she should’ve called the police instead. The Peregian Beach woman replied she did call the police, and how the man allegedly threatened to punch her beforehand.

Mr Madsen took into account how she had no criminal history but said society could not have people taking the law into their own hands.

Turner was placed on a six month probation order, fined $100 and disqualified from driving for three months.

No conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Isabel Turner pleads guilty to public nuisance, drug driving at Warana