Patricia Graaf pleads guilty to slapping security guard at Big Top Shopping Centre
A Sunshine Coast mother has said an argument with her partner led to her scaring shopping centre customers during her drunken meltdown before she slapped a security officer.
Police & Courts
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A Buderim mother of 10 has said she was drunk when she had a meltdown at a Sunshine Coast shopping centre where she smacked a security guard in the face.
Shoppers at Big Top Shopping Centre at Maroochydore ran away from Patricia Maree Eileen Graaf when she started screaming and throwing objects about 1.45pm on June 14.
Police prosecutor Tara Miles told Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday the centre was full of people shopping and eating at a cafe when the 39-year-old walked inside.
Senior Constable Miles said CCTV showed Graff walk to the front of Woolworths and made a scene, which forced shoppers to run away from her to avoid the area.
The court heard security entered the centre and found Graaf who yelled “go back to your country” and “do you want to fight c---”.
She threatened one of the security guards by walking close them before she raised her arm and gestured like she was going to hit the guard in the face.
The police prosecutor said Graaf came within a half a metre of a security guard when they pushed her away.
Senior Constable Miles said the Buderim mother then lashed out and slapped the security guard in the face and fled the scene.
She was found by police on June 20 and charged with public nuisance and common assault, which she pleaded guilty to in court on Monday.
Defence solicitor Luke Bull said the mother-of-10 hadn’t been before the court since 2016 and was “really trying” to stay out of trouble.
He said the 39-year-old was remorseful and ashamed of how she treated people at the shopping centre.
Mr Bull said she had one too many drinks on the afternoon of the shopping centre biff and got into an argument with her partner. She then “took it out” on everybody else.
She was convicted and fined $900.
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Originally published as Patricia Graaf pleads guilty to slapping security guard at Big Top Shopping Centre
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